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Council hears traffic, stormwater and code‑enforcement updates after Park Road sinkhole investigation
Summary
Traffic staff recommended no‑parking limits on Church Street; public‑works reported a lengthy investigation into a sinkhole and century‑old storm pipe under Park Road/Webb Avenue and outlined temporary repairs, a proposed ditch‑cleaning/lining approach and coordination with the Army Corps and DOT; council also discussed demolition of a dilapidated house and yard‑debris pickup delays.
Traffic commission staff asked council to approve a no‑parking designation along one side of Church Street to address safety and site‑distance concerns; property owners were notified and police supported the request.
Public‑works staff (identified in discussion as Bob and others) gave a detailed update on a sinkhole and a century‑old concrete storm pipe that has been the subject of field investigation, CCTV inspection and contractor cleaning. Staff said the pipe carries runoff from Webb Avenue through a largely buried historic conduit; sedimentation and a misaligned joint had allowed surface water to tunnel and wash material, producing a sinkhole that migrated beneath a private yard and into the road.
A TV inspection found the pipe in generally good condition for its age but with separated joints that allow tunneling. Short‑term options include targeted excavation and temporary joint repairs to reopen Park Road; long‑term remediation could require ditch cleaning, exposing and/or lining an 800‑foot reach of channel and coordinating permitting with the Army Corps (staff said a nationwide permit may apply) and DOT. Staff said they have engaged with state DOT and asked the Corps for prompt review; they also will seek contractor pricing for temporary and long‑term fixes.
Council members expressed frustration over the time the problem has persisted and the community perception of neglect; staff committed to expedite Corps responses and to notify council when permits are cleared and repairs scheduled. Staff estimated temporary repairs and reopening could take months (rough estimate of four to eight months depending on permitting and coordination), not an immediate fix.
Separately, code‑enforcement staff reported a long‑open building permit where interior work exceeded the scope of the permit (the structure has been gutted and exposed to the elements). The city issued stop‑work orders and will consult legal counsel to pursue next steps, including possible demolition if the owner fails to remedy. Solid‑waste staff said yard‑debris pickup delays were tied to a recent software transition and staffing/operational catch‑up; crews are working overtime and Saturdays to reduce backlog.
