'Damaged Beyond Repair': Worcester Elm Park Tower Senior Housing Will Be Closed For Weeks

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester senior housing high rise damaged by arctic weather last weekend needs extensive repairs, and residents may not be able to return for more than a month, according to the Worcester Housing Authority.

On Saturday night, a water pipe inside the Elm Park tower along Pleasant Street ruptured and flooded parts of the building. The water froze and severely damaged the building's electrical system, according to WHA.

WHA said the building's electrical distribution system is "damaged beyond repair" and needs to be completely replaced.

"What the WHA had hoped would be a quick turnaround of 4 to 6 days will now become a 4 to 6 week restoration process as parts are ordered, contractors solicited, and electrical work completed," the housing agency said in an update this week.

About 200 seniors and disabled people live in the Elm Park tower. They are being housed temporarily at hotels in Worcester and Auburn, and with relatives. The residents will continue to live in temporary housing until all repairs are made, WHA said.

During repairs, residents will have limited access to the building since it is now a construction zone, according to the agency.