Philly Council still displaced after flooding

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 The drying-out process continues in Philadelphia City Council chambers following Tuesday's flooding. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

The drying-out process continues in Philadelphia City Council chambers following Tuesday's flooding. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Philadelphia City Council’s chambers continue to dry out after water from a burst pipe flooded the room Tuesday. 

The water caused significant damage to the Law Library of the First Judicial District on the sixth floor of City Hall, then streamed down to Council’s fourth-floor chambers.

Council President Darrell Clarke said Friday the drying-out process continues.

“We’ve talked to public property, and they say they have made significant strides in insuring that we will be back in the chambers for next Thursday’s session,” Clarke said.

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Clarke said he did appreciate the makeshift spot for this week’s meeting that was created from a borrowed courtroom. It had a side exit door that enabled Council members to avoid reporters.

“I love that rear door,” he said.

The cost of the cleanup has not been made public, but no significant renovations are expected to be needed. In 2002, damage from a flood that required several million dollars in work.

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