Most Chelsea Wood condominium owners still didn’t have heat as of Tuesday morning, January 7, after temperatures and snow fell over the weekend. There were 12 buildings with heat and 35 without heat, according to a map from Metropolis Condominium Management. At least three pipes were still being repaired and since last week a boiler stopped working. The boiler produces hot water for heating, which the pipes deliver to the complex, with 280 units in 47 residential buildings. The heat first failed in October 2024.
Repairs Scheduled
Resident Jocelyn Cox shared with the News Review a January 7 email and map from Metropolis, which became the complex’s management company on
January 1. The information indicated plans to replace one pipe beginning Tuesday, January 7, and others beginning Wednesday, January 8. Service personnel were expected to arrive Tuesday, January 7, to begin addressing the boiler. When resident Jessica Fomalont bought her unit in 2005, she was told the HVAC system was installed in 1965.
Addressing the heating situation is complicated by condo owners lacking renters’ rights, their individual homeowner’s insurance not applying to shared infrastructure and delinquent owners’ condo fees not being contributed to shared maintenance.
No Help From Officials
Cox said she spoke with Maryland State Senator Alonzo Washington on December 30, who told her he would look into the situation; she also contacted Governor Wes Moore’s office. She said there has been no response from either.
Cox shared with the News Review her emails to elected officials and county staff in search of help for her community. Her correspondents include Washington; County Councilmember Eric Olson; Delegates Anne Healey, Ashanti Martinez and Nicole Williams; staff from the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations/Common Ownership Communities and Greenbelt City Manager Josué Salmerón. Chelsea Wood has a Greenbelt zip code but is not in the city limits, instead lying in an unincorporated area with no municipal support.
Warming Centers Unavailable
Olson replied on January 2 that county agencies told him that the American Red Cross cannot help in this situation. He was told the county’s Office of Emergency Management is “continuing to brainstorm.” Olson’s email included a map of county warming centers, which can be found at tinyurl.com/2pvw923b. When the News Review attempted to contact four warming centers on January 7, they were closed because county facilities were closed during the January 6 and 7 snow emergency. The map includes county libraries, which close on holidays and during county school weather closings, including January 1, 6, and 7.
Cox contacted county and state officials again January 7. She updated them on the pipe and boiler status, and said she was still waiting to hear from Office of Community Relations/Common Ownership Communities staff on their communication with county attorneys for possible action. She asked Olson if the Office of Emergency Management was still brainstorming, and if county or state resources could aid the heating system repairs.
Cold Continues
Weather forecasts through the weekend include temperatures from the low 20s to mid 30s, winds up to 25 miles per hour, and another winter storm possible on Saturday, January 11.