Hole of an issue

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As partial owner for two restaurants, Diaa Sawan enjoys attracting patrons to his establishments in Queen Village. His restaurants serve authentic dishes that aim to tantalize the most discerning diners.

Sawan understands the tight parking situation in the neighborhood, which is why even one spot not being utilized could impact business. So it has been continually upsetting for him to see a crater about a car length in size encompass a portion of road on the 600 block of South Second Street. The hole, which begins at the curb and extends almost to about the middle of the street, rests near Sawan’s restaurants: Fez Moroccan Cuisine Restaurant, 620 S. Second St., and Cedars Middle Eastern Cuisine Restaurant, 616 S. Second St.

Moreover, Sawan said the depression had continued to sink and expand, turning it into a makeshift trashcan filled with garbage, cans, bricks and wood pieces.

"The hole is getting bigger and bigger and affecting the sidewalk," said the owner of both buildings. "Every time it rains, the rain [seeps into the hole] and goes into Fez’s basement. We really worry about the whole building structure. Every time it rains, we have people taking water out from the basement."

Sawan and other concerned residents are dumbfounded over this hole they say has existed for more than six months. Instead of seeing progress, some feel trapped between city departments.

First noticing a crack in the street eight months ago, Sawan witnessed its gradual expansion to its current state. Four months ago, he contacted the Streets Department, who told him workers would soon fix the problem. The four months passed and the hole remained.

He again contacted the department last month, but was informed this problem is the responsibility of various utility companies.

At wit’s end, Sawan hired a lawyer to contact these companies via letter. He has not heard back from either.

He continues to hear complaints from diners, who can’t help but comment on the hole.

"You cannot park. It looks ugly. It’s horrible," patrons have told Sawan. "If I could do it, I would [fix it] at my own expense, but I don’t have a right to do it. It will cause more problems for us. I don’t know what will happen next."

THE STREETS DEPARTMENT is aware of the sinkhole, but cannot act until certain utilities, including Philadelphia Gas Works and the Water Department, finish their repair work, said Emily Buenaflor, the department’s spokesperson.

"We’re going to keep checking it to make sure it is kept safe until the various entities involved can get in there to do their repairs," she said.

Buenaflor could not comment on the origin of the crater or if it had expanded in size.

But Scott Abramson of the 900 block of South Second Street referred to the hole as a growing safety issue. First noticing the opening in the spring, he now said it juts out into the drivable portions of South Second Street. He, too, has contacted the Streets Department.

Abramson is worried a cold winter combined with heavy snow or rain might exacerbate the problem.

"I’m perplexed as why this has not been resolved," he said.

Third District Capt. Mike Weaver has not received any complaints about the hole, but is well aware of it.

"We’ve contacted just about everyone in the free world for that," he said.

If the situation worsens, Weaver said his district has the authority to close off the street if safety is in jeopardy.

After conducting tests late last month, the Water Department concluded there was sewer damage underneath the hole, said Joan Przybylowicz, a department spokesperson. Workers were at the site this week to fix the problem.

PGW, she added, was doing work at the site prior to the Water Department’s arrival, but was not responsible for damaging the sewer.

"Whenever there’s a number of utilities going in and making repairs on different utilities, it does become an inconvenience to customers," Przybylowicz said.

PGW Communications Administrator Peter Hussie said "there was a problem with the sewer pipes. It undermined our main. We came in and repaired it" Aug. 12.

The utility is expected to inspect the site, but will not partake in any more repairs, he added.

PECO also noted a "sewer main crack" created damage to their pipes during the summer. The utility expects to begin repairs by the end of the month, said Fred Maher, PECO spokesperson.

Each departmental spokesperson could not ascertain why the hole grew in size.

Both the Streets and Water department spokespersons urged residents to call their departments if similar sinkholes emerge. Complaints either would be addressed or referred to the proper departments.

Meanwhile, residents like Abramson continue to wait for the city to fully patch up the hole.

"Anymore ignoring of this problem is just going to exacerbate the issue to a far greater degree, if not cause a few lawsuits," he said.

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To contact the Streets Department customer service hotline, call 215-686-5560. To contact the Water Department, call 215-685-6300.