BALTIMORE (May 27, 2004) – The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) announced today that the 27-story William Donald Schaefer Tower in downtown Baltimore will be closed again tomorrow. State employees should not report to work Friday as repairs to the building’s sprinkler system continue. Some 1,500 employees were sent home Wednesday, as a precaution, when problems were discovered with the sprinkler system pump.

Work to replace a faulty sprinkler system pump motor in the basement of the facility will continue through the weekend. Once the pump is replaced, testing of the system is required before the building can reopen. DGS anticipates the Schaefer Tower will reopen Tuesday morning (June 1, 2004), following the Memorial Day holiday.

Located at 6 St. Paul Street, the State owned and operated office tower houses 17 State agencies, among them: the Maryland Transit Administration, the State Public Service Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the Commission on Human Relations, and the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Employees and anyone conducting business with State agencies in the Schaefer Tower should listen for announcements on reopening on local radio and television stations.

CONTACT:

Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us

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