Norwich -- The developer pursuing a $6 million renovation of the former Reid & Hughes building on Main Street in Norwich has spent the past six months attempting to correct persistent hot water and air conditioning deficiencies at a new affordable housing complex it built in Killingly.

The Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development built the Mill at Killingly, a 32-unit, $10.5 million state-financed apartment building on the site of the former Powdrell & Alexander Mill in Danielson. The facility, a new building -- designed to echo the features of the former mill while retaining the historic mill stair tower – opened in February with a grand opening celebration.

But as more tenants moved in, hot water problems started, tenants and the Women’s Institute said. At times, only “ice cold” water came from the hot water taps. Temporary repairs restored service, only to have the problem reoccur. Then, as the weather heated up, the building’s central air conditioning system failed to keep up with increased demand. Tenants were allowed to bring in window units in July when temperatures reached the 90s.

“We are aware of the issues with the hot water and HVAC,” a notice posted Aug. 20 said. “Various contractors were at the property last week working on the mechanicals, and some of the adjustments may have caused other mechanical systems to go off balance. Contractors have been contacted to return to the property and readjust the system. Your continued understanding and patience is appreciated.”

But tenants are losing patience.

“What patience,” someone wrote on the Aug. 20 letter posted on an elevator. “We don’t understand! Joke House!”

One tenant, who asked not to be identified because she has a protective order in place, said tenants are losing patience. The woman, who has lived there with her 3-year-old son since it opened, said her son screamed when she tried to give him a sponge bath last weekend, because the water was so cold. For a week in April, she said, no water at all came from the faucets.

“My only concern is that, are they going to do this with the next project they do?” the woman said.

Loni Willey, chief operating officer and acting executive director of the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development, said her agency is just as frustrated with the problems at the Mill at Killingly. The issues are with a hot water looping system and the HVAC system, both of which tested fine prior to the building’s opening in February.

“Unfortunately, as with operating systems, you don’t know how their working until there’s regular demand,” Willey said.

The building has a highly efficient hot water looping system with a single pump and tank system, Willey said. The Women’s Institute brought in an independent contractor to assess the problem and recommend permanent corrections. Corrections have been made and the hot water temperature “is back to what it should be,” Willey said. But the institute still is working on improvements, including installing a large hot water pump and an extra hot water tank.

The permanent improvements will take time, Willey said, and there is no cost estimate yet for the corrections. But the system is working now.

“It’s something we’re committed to doing,” Willey said. “It’s so disappointing, as you try to get families moved in and settled in their new homes. Both our construction team and our internal team are working on this.”

In Norwich, the Women’s Institute was selected by the city as the preferred developer for the long-vacant former Reid & Hughes building at 193-201 Main St., an agreement considered the last chance to save the decaying 19th-century building. The developer completed an initial $500,000 stabilization project to shore up the building while the Women’s Institute pursued financing for the $6 million renovation project.

Willey said the institute expects to announce an update on the status of Reid & Hughes project this fall. Applications for major financing have been submitted to financing entities and the institute is awaiting responses. The $6 million project calls for 20 affordable housing apartments, some reserved for formerly homeless veterans, and commercial storefront spaces on Main Street.

“The financing for a project like this is a marathon not a sprint,” Willey said of Reid & Hughes. “We have financing applications in. The frustrating part of this work is, it takes time. We should know better in the next month what the timeline looks like.”

c.bessette@theday.com