The Triangle

Issue date: 7/25/08 Section: News

Drexel University was notified by the City of a potential sink hole at 33rd Street directly off of Market Street, and that it will not affect construction for the new Recreational Center, according to Jim Katsaounis, executive director of communications for the Division of Student Life and Administrative Services.

"We have been told that if it is indeed a sink hole, it may have been caused by a 100-year-old sewer line believed to be located there and may be up to 36 feet in diameter," Katsaounis wrote in an e-mail. He also wrote that it is highly possible that 33rd Street may need to be closed by the City to fix the problem.

However, according to June Cantor, a spokeswoman at the Philadelphia Streets Department, "the only thing found was a depression (4' x 8' x 6") that was called into the Water Department by Drexel Facilities people."

The Philadelphia Water Department investigated the scene and did not find any problems, according to John diGiulio, a spokesman for the Water Department.

"Once the problem is found and repaired by the Water Department, the Water Department will notify us to restore the street at this location," Cantor wrote in an email..

"If the street needs to be closed … contractors will still have access to the DAC lawn from north and west sides," Katsaounis wrote in an e-mail.

Turner Construction, the team working on the new Recreational Center referred The Triangle's calls to Drexel.

Also, according to Katsaounis, the water running near the Rush Building was the result of Turner Construction hitting a main water line while installing a power pole for the construction trailers located there. The line is currently being fixed.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools