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Kennesaw approves $194,000 emergency repair after sinkhole threatens utilities near Cobb International
Summary
City council unanimously approved an emergency resolution to fund immediate repairs to a widening sinkhole near 2500 Cobb International Boulevard, authorizing up to $194,000 to stabilize a failing storm pipe and protect private property and utilities while staff pursue cost recovery from other parties.
The City of Kennesaw on Monday approved an emergency resolution authorizing up to $194,000 for immediate stormwater repairs at a sinkhole near 2500 Cobb International Boulevard after staff warned the collapse was widening and beginning to expose fiber and other utilities.
The funding was approved unanimously after a council motion to proceed without waiting for a competitive RFP process. Mayor Andrew called for the motion; the council voted 5-0 to approve the emergency repair resolution.
City staff described the sinkhole as first noticed in March and said the collapse has since enlarged to the point it now threatens the retaining wall and parking lot of an adjacent business, identified in council discussion as Atlanta Bonded Warehouse. Ricky, a city staff member, told the council that the failing structure includes a deep junction box and a large, 60-inch corrugated pipe at the bottom of the system. He said crews found fiber-optic cable exposed in the hole and that gas and water lines could be next if the failure continues.
Ricky said the city solicited a proposal from a contractor, ProShot, that initially quoted about $182,000 two months earlier; the revised proposal presented to council was $194,000. Staff said preparing and running a formal RFP and bid process could take “a couple months,” which they judged too long given the continuing erosion and public-safety risk.
Council discussion focused on jurisdiction and cost recovery. Councilman Farris and others asked whether the area of failure fell on private property; staff said portions appear to be on both private property and within the city's right of way and that the pipe running under the roadway is a city-owned section. Ricky and the city attorney, Sam, said the city intends to perform the repair immediately to prevent further damage and utility failures and will pursue possible reimbursement from other parties, including Atlanta Bonded Warehouse and individual property owners. The council asked staff to seek legal avenues and insurance avenues to recover some costs and to report back if the estimate grows beyond the approved $194,000.
The council also heard that Cobb International no longer has a single property-owners association for the corridor, which complicates bilateral cost-sharing agreements; staff said they have been meeting with property owners (including Fred Bentley Jr., referenced in discussion) to explore equitable contributions. The city has already installed a temporary fence to protect the site, and staff said road closure or additional traffic control could be required if the hole approaches the pavement.
Decision: Council approved the emergency resolution to authorize up to $194,000 for immediate repair work and directed staff to proceed immediately, to pursue agreements and legal mechanisms to recover costs, and to return to council if costs are expected to exceed the approved amount.
The repair is intended to stabilize the failing pipe beneath Cobb International and protect both public utilities and adjacent private property while staff work to identify other responsible parties and funding sources.
