As flood cleanup ends, residents return home

A Pittsburgh company completed the extensive renovations.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Mel Smith couldn't wait to get to his apartment.
The 94-year-old Jameson Place resident walked directly through the lobby, past Santa Claus and two trumpet players, to check out the apartment he was whisked way from July 27 when the building was flooded with sewage after a heavy rain.
"This is home," Smith said as he relaxed in a reclining chair. His daughter Janice McBurney, and grandson, Seth McBurney, were there to greet him.
Smith and the other residents have been living temporarily on the fourth floor of Jameson South, formerly St. Francis Hospital, while carpeting, drywall and wallpaper was replaced.
The personal care home, affiliated with the Jameson Health System, was damaged by two to three inches of raw sewage that flooded all the first-floor rooms and hallways.
The residents had to be removed quickly, and some spent a few days with family or staff before Jameson South became available.
Kenneth Garver Jr., administrator, said G.S. James & amp; Sons of Pittsburgh did the renovation work. He would not say how much the company was paid.
The facility was cleaned immediately, but raw sewage seeped into walls, furniture and carpeting and required far more extensive work.
The company replaced drywall, baseboards and carpeting throughout the first floor. The elevator also was affected when the sewage damaged the control panel.
Residents' homecoming
Katie Mazzei, director of assisted living, said workers were up until 12:15 a.m. Wednesday putting the residents' rooms together. Most of their possessions were taken gradually from Jameson South back home over the last few days, she said.
The 23 residents were brought home on a city bus, and Garver gave each of them a yellow rose. Santa Claus and the McGill Brass were there to greet them.
Katherine Eve, 95, had tears in her eyes as she was the first person brought in the door.
"I'm so glad to be back," she said. "Everything is so much more comfortable here."
Maxine Blasdell, 94, said she also was happy to be back but noted they were treated well at Jameson South.
Garver said a luncheon was planned for the residents and their families after their homecoming.
Garver noted that they are now looking at using the fourth floor of Jameson South as another personal-care facility for the elderly.
cioffi@vindy.com