Residents urge action after June 13 water-main break; city says legal counsel now involved

Several Grand Rapids residents used the final public-comment period at the Oct. 8 city commission meeting to describe ongoing damage and health concerns from a June 13 water-main break on the Southeast Side at Philadelphia and Adams, and to say the city denied resident claims in August.

"When we received the letter from the city of Grand Rapids... August 23 denying all of our claims, it was truly devastating," Jasmine Bridal of Ward 3 told the commission. Bridal said the break caused totaled vehicles, a shifted foundation, a sunk deck, a flooded basement, destroyed belongings and a three-season room deemed dangerous; she said her family has been displaced and stressed for almost four months.

Larry Gibbs, whose address he gave as 1342 Allerton Ave. SE, said the house now has recurring black mold and intermittent hot water, and that his five-year-old daughter cannot live there in the current conditions. "We just want you guys to do what's right," Gibbs said, urging the commission to act before winter compounds the problems.

In response, the city manager said the residents who raised claims "have now secured some representation and... the attorneys are now in or have been in consultation with our law department." He said that because counsel is involved "it has moved beyond an administrative matter to a legal matter," and that the city will work with counsel from both sides but will also explore interim services that might assist residents.

The commission did not take formal action at the meeting on the water-main complaints; the city manager's remarks indicate the matter is proceeding through legal channels and that staff will consider interim assistance while the legal process proceeds.