When the Fourth Street sinkhole opened up it was a wake up call to the infrastructure problems in Harrisburg.
City Council is still trying to find ways to pay for the repairs and the liability from the potential holes under our feet that are waiting to open any day.
These sinkholes have brought more national attention to Harrisburg. There has been coverage in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and this month in the New York Daily News with host of pictures highlighting the 41 sink holes around the city.
Sandra Reid the Public Works Committee Chair, says you can see where all the sinkholes are located. "There is a sinkhole data base, there is a data base throughout the state of PA, that basically tells you where all the sink holes are identified in the city."
Fourth Street remains unpaved and it'll be a couple of weeks before the weather warms up enough for asphalt. The cost of repairs for this block is now an amazing $744,000.
The amount of money needed for repairs is a major problem, especially for the Public Works Department, which only has $400,000.
The City plans on applying for a PENNVEST loan this week.
"PENNVEST is a Commonwealth Agency that distributes funding with low interest loans and grants for projects." Explained City Council President Wanda Williams. "It's really a no brainer to be able to apply for this.
The city may not even have to pay it all back.
City Council member Bruce Weber says the money could come as a grant. "We won't know until it is actually awarded, it could be a hybrid grant and/or loan."
Harrisburg is requesting $1.7 million to help the city deal with next sinkhole and with overdue repairs.
"There has been 20 years of a lack of maintenance on the sewer lines so that is where the problems have come from," said one City Council Member.
But, does coverage of these sinkholes in the national media hurt the city? "This is realistic, I mean is what it is." Reid said. "I certainly hope it is a wake up call, let the Commonwealth of PA know that Harrisburg needs the additional financial help."
"Something need to wake up Gov. Corbett to help Harrisburg and all of our municipalities with regard to infrastructure." City Council Member Brad Koplinksi explained.
The city is applying for for the loan this week, but it maybe until May before they know if they will be getting the money.
The estimated cost to fix all of the City's sinkholes is about $25 million.
The Fourth Street block has garnered so much fame that it has become a check in location for the social networking site Four Square.
City Council is still trying to find ways to pay for the repairs and the liability from the potential holes under our feet that are waiting to open any day.
These sinkholes have brought more national attention to Harrisburg. There has been coverage in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and this month in the New York Daily News with host of pictures highlighting the 41 sink holes around the city.
Sandra Reid the Public Works Committee Chair, says you can see where all the sinkholes are located. "There is a sinkhole data base, there is a data base throughout the state of PA, that basically tells you where all the sink holes are identified in the city."
Fourth Street remains unpaved and it'll be a couple of weeks before the weather warms up enough for asphalt. The cost of repairs for this block is now an amazing $744,000.
The amount of money needed for repairs is a major problem, especially for the Public Works Department, which only has $400,000.
The City plans on applying for a PENNVEST loan this week.
"PENNVEST is a Commonwealth Agency that distributes funding with low interest loans and grants for projects." Explained City Council President Wanda Williams. "It's really a no brainer to be able to apply for this.
The city may not even have to pay it all back.
City Council member Bruce Weber says the money could come as a grant. "We won't know until it is actually awarded, it could be a hybrid grant and/or loan."
Harrisburg is requesting $1.7 million to help the city deal with next sinkhole and with overdue repairs.
"There has been 20 years of a lack of maintenance on the sewer lines so that is where the problems have come from," said one City Council Member.
But, does coverage of these sinkholes in the national media hurt the city? "This is realistic, I mean is what it is." Reid said. "I certainly hope it is a wake up call, let the Commonwealth of PA know that Harrisburg needs the additional financial help."
"Something need to wake up Gov. Corbett to help Harrisburg and all of our municipalities with regard to infrastructure." City Council Member Brad Koplinksi explained.
The city is applying for for the loan this week, but it maybe until May before they know if they will be getting the money.
The estimated cost to fix all of the City's sinkholes is about $25 million.
The Fourth Street block has garnered so much fame that it has become a check in location for the social networking site Four Square.