Dearborn resident says city blamed her for alley sinkhole; DPW director pledges follow‑up

A Dearborn resident told the City Council she has spent hundreds of dollars and been threatened with a lien after a sinkhole opened in an alley behind her garage, and city staff said they will investigate.

Joanne Beshear, who gave her address as 7301 Yinger, told the council she first reported two sinkhole‑like depressions in the alley near her garage on Sept. 9. She said city workers inspected her property and asked whether her home plumbing was clogged; the city advised her to hire a private plumber, which she did. She said the first plumber—s report, submitted to the city the next day, stated the problem was not on her private pipes.

Beshear said a week later a city employee identified as Benjamin sent her generic photographs and claimed the city had performed a dye and pressure test on her residence and that the problem was her responsibility. Beshear said she hired a second plumber, recommended by the city, who told her the problem was at the main line in the center of the alley. She said she paid about $425 for plumbing checks and that a contractor foreman on site later told workers the main line had been broken and that the issue was not caused by her property.

Beshear said she later received a city letter dated Nov. 19 warning that if she did not respond and pay to fix the problem the city could place a lien on her property. She also said she had filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the city—s report but had not received a response.

Why it matters: Alley sinkholes and broken mains affect property stability and could cause structural damage to fences, garages and foundations. When responsibility for repair is disputed, residents may face unexpected out‑of‑pocket costs and the threat of municipal liens.

Multiple council members asked department staff to look into Beshear—s case. Tim Hawkins, director of the Department of Public Works, said he did not yet know the details but would get the address and investigate and report back to the council. “I can get the address and we can look into it. I can do it tomorrow,” Hawkins said.

Council members directed staff to accept Beshear—s documentation and to refer the matter to DPW for a formal investigation and written findings to be returned to the council and to the resident.

Ending: Council members asked Hawkins to follow up promptly and for the clerk to retain Beshear—s documents and photos so the city can respond with its findings.