Broken steam pipe makes mess at U.S. Cellular Center

A steam pipe break caused a wet, messy situation outside the U.S. Cellular Center ballrooms Wednesday morning.

The broken value on the second floor caused the hallway outside the ballrooms to fill with clouds of steam for a time.  Cedar Rapids firefighters responded initially until workers determined the alarms were set off by steam and not smoke.

Spewing hot water soaked a section of hallway and even some carpeting in one of the ballrooms.  Scott Schoenike, U.S. Cellular Center Director, said workers will cap off the broken pipe that provided steam heat to one section of skywalk.  However, unless absolutely necessary the pipe system itself will not be repaired.

That's because the area where the steam break occurred is a part of the new $75-million dollar convention center complex.  Demolition in that area is scheduled to start sometime after the city takes ownership of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in early March.