A judge says a court order is needed to shut off lights and other utilities at Pittsburgh's struggling August Wilson Center for African American Culture.

Allegheny County Judge Lawrence O'Toole on Monday approved an order sought by the center's court-appointed conservator to keep the downtown facility running.

The ruling covers water and electricity as well as sewage treatment, telephone and Internet services.

An attorney for Duquesne Light said the center owes the electric company $38,000 and is running bills of $10,000 a month.

The center, which opened in 2009, is named after late Pulitzer prize-winning playwright August Wilson, who was born in Pittsburgh.

Dollar Bank began foreclosure proceedings in September after the center defaulted on its $7 million mortgage.