Borough set to fix Grinnell Avenue water problem

The 1000 block of Grinnell Avenue is currently closed to through traffic. The borough is set to fix a water problem there. (Note the spray-painted lines at the bottom of the photo.)

The borough is finally taking action on a long-standing water problem on Grinnell Avenue. As Columbia Spy reported previously HERE and HERE, water from an underground spring is continuously coating the road surface between 10th and 11th streets, creating slippery conditions. The water is being pumped to the road surface via residents’ sump pumps.

According to Zoning and Planning Officer Jeff Helm, the borough proposes to fix the problem by running an 8-inch drain pipe in a beauty strip along the sidewalk on the south side of the street. Homeowners’ drain lines will then connect to the pipe, which will be capped at the 11th Street end and connect to a new catch basin at 10th Street. The water will then flow down 10th Street to an existing catch basin on Barber Street. Homeowners will also have the option of connecting their downspouts to the pipe. The seven homeowners affected will need to sign an easement allowing access and maintenance to the piping.

Currently, Grinnell Avenue is closed to through traffic. No work schedule has been publicly announced for the project, although lines have been spray-painted along the beauty strip and at the 10th Street intersection in preparation for excavation.