Evansville board declares emergency to replace failing storm sewer on First Avenue

The City of Evansville board on July 3 approved an emergency request to replace a failing storm sewer on First Avenue between Commerce Court and Lexington Road after staff reported the conduit’s condition worsened following recent heavy rain.

City engineers described the pipe as corrugated metal with its bottom rotted out; staff said the failure was observed before a recent large rain event but the rainfall accelerated collapse, and barricades are already in place at the site. One presenter described the repair as a “full replacement” and said the affected run has grown to a “couple [hundred] feet long” as soil and structure continued to fail while awaiting work.

A board member moved to approve the emergency declaration; a second was recorded and the board approved the emergency work by voice vote. Staff said the intent is to obtain a quote and start repair work quickly rather than go through the normal design‑bid schedule, which can take up to two months and risk further deterioration if delayed.

Staff suggested the pipe may have been developer‑installed and is not the standard concrete pipe the city typically expects; the presenter noted it could be 60–70 years old, though origin and exact age were not confirmed in the discussion. The transcript does not record a contract award at the meeting — only approval of the emergency declaration to begin replacement work.

Provenance: Discussion opened when staff requested the emergency declaration and closed with the board’s approval of the emergency request.