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Wall failure at 1710 FM 423 forces closures, isolates water main in Little Elm
Summary
Deputy Town Manager Doug Peach said a retaining wall at 1710 FM 423 settled two to three feet, prompting closures of GOATS Arena Sports Bar and Blast Swim Academy. The town isolated a water-main leak and is consulting legal counsel while repairs and structural analysis are arranged.
At the Little Elm workshop on Dec. 2, Deputy Town Manager Doug Peach reported a significant wall failure at 1710 FM 423 that has prompted immediate public-safety measures, closure of two businesses and isolation of a related water-main leak.
"This last week, we became aware of a significant wall failure at 1710 FM 423," Doug Peach said. He told council staff observed the wall had settled "at least a couple of 2 or 3 feet" and that cracks and separation in the fire lane were evident. The town directed the property manager to secure the site with cones, barricades and tape, and placed shutdown notices on GOATS Arena Sports Bar and Blast Swim Academy.
Peach said the movement has likely dislodged a section of the water main along FM 423, causing a leak. Town crews isolated the line by shutting valves toward adjacent apartments and businesses "so nobody is without water" and to preserve fire protection while restricting access to the failed area. He said crews did not feel safe entering the zone to repair the water main until a structural engineer assesses the wall because the ground continued to move.
Council members asked when the town would step in to make repairs and whether the town could later recover costs from the property owner. Peach said the town’s priority is public safety and that legal counsel will be consulted about options to expedite repairs and potential cost recovery. He also said the property owner had been notified and a property representative was present onsite; staff had not had direct contact with the owner.
Council asked whether the town does routine preventative inspections of retaining walls. Peach said the town requires engineered, stamped plans for new construction and inspects to those plans but "we don't have... an annual inspection wall inspection" for existing walls.
Peach warned the situation could worsen: he could not provide a repair timeline and said additional businesses could be shut down if conditions deteriorate. He also told council there would likely be civil litigation arising from the collapse.
Next steps: the town will consult its attorney, secure the site, seek a structural engineer’s assessment and pressure the property owner to expedite repairs; the timeline for stabilization and water-main repair remains uncertain.
