Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Minnesota Hotel Suffers Extensive Flooding And Electrical Equipment Damage From Broken Water Line

“…the waterline break occurred during a planned repair project and also flooded the skywalk tunnel under the street between the hotel and the downtown Duluth Public Library…the line that broke was not a city waterline but the hotel’s own service line running into the building…it appeared that a private contractor replacing the service somehow severed the line, triggering the flood of water…”

Officials with Duluth’s Radisson Hotel said Saturday evening that they’re still working to assess the damage caused by a broken waterline earlier this week, and there is no timeline yet for reopening. The waterline break on Wednesday night flooded the downtown hotel’s basement and disrupted electrical service to the building. About 80 guests had to be evacuated to other hotels.

“Hotel ownership and management teams are working as quickly as possible to determine the extent of the damage caused by the flooding and what equipment and work will be necessary in order to open the hotel,” hotel officials said in a news release Saturday evening. “As of (Saturday), that assessment continues and the Radisson is unable to provide an estimated time frame at this point in time. The safety and welfare of our guests and team members is first and foremost in determining when we will be able to open.”

Officials said they continue to work with other hotels in Duluth to relocate guests who had reservations at the Radisson. They said an update on the hotel’s status is expected by Wednesday. The Radisson has 268 guest rooms, in addition to its restaurant, meeting and banquet facilities.

For more:  http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/261688/