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Warming station in Pawtucket may not open due to energy bill issues


The inside of a building on East Avenue in Pawtucket will be used as a warming station, but an apparent energy bill issue with the building's owners may force the building not to open this weekend. (WJAR)
The inside of a building on East Avenue in Pawtucket will be used as a warming station, but an apparent energy bill issue with the building's owners may force the building not to open this weekend. (WJAR)
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A Black Lives Matter warming station in Pawtucket may not be open this weekend as it deals with an apparent energy bill issue.

The location on East Avenue is run by BLM RI founder Gary Dantzler, but it's owned independently.

Mayor Donald Grebien's office told NBC 10 News the building was condemned by the courts after owners failed to pay RI Energy bills. Staffers say that led to concerns over a lack of power, specifically to fire alarm and smoke detector systems. The woes come as dangerously cold weather is expected to hit Southern New England. Countless state and local officials, as well as housing advocates, have called for people to seek indoor warmth.

"There are compliance issues," Grebien told NBC 10. "RI Energy shut the power off last week for non-payment. Over the weekend, we were working with Gary, but they didn't have power so the courts condemned them."

On Wednesday, Dantzler gave NBC 10 News a tour of the BLM station, which he says can hold 75 to 100 people. He and his team have brought in roughly 45 beds, dozens of new clothes, and fresh blankets to give out ahead of cold blast.

"We have a crisis right now. It's one of the worst times with weather. This month is going to be one of the coldest, and Saturday will be breaking records," Dantzler said. "I'm from Pawtucket and we need to work together as a community, and we haven't been getting that moral support."

Dantzler met with mayoral staff members Wednesday in hopes of opening the BLM site this weekend. He told NBC 10 News prior to that meeting he remained 'optimistic' the site will be open this weekend and will be housing folks.

In the meantime, Grebien's office says it's opening a new temporary warming station at 1139 Main St. on Friday. This is in partnership with the state, the mayor's office says, and will be staffed by volunteers.

Staff is working to help people who have stayed at the BLM site previously. More details are expected Thursday.

The warming station efforts aren't the only work being done to help ahead of the cold. Diamond Madsen is a housing advocate, and has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy hotel rooms for the unhoused this weekend.

"This is my way of being like the people's people," she said. "I am the homeless people's people. I'm going to help you any way I can out here."

Additionally, she's also collecting blankets, hats and tents to pass out to people.

"Somebody is going to die this weekend," she said. "I don't wanna get the phone call. I'm tired of losing my friends."

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