Mill Street sinkholes gets repairs

COLFAX— Whitman County Facilities updated the commissioners Monday, Oct. 2, on the status of digging up the parking lot located at 451 North Mill Street across from the Sheriff's Office, 411 North Mill Street, due to sinkholes.

Director of Facilities Brandy Dean said that debris under the parking lot has been breaking down, and the asphalt on top has shown holes.

Public Works Director Mark Storey said the site used to be the old Colfax High School, and the former swimming pool was there.

"They pushed it all in with construction rubble and causing little sinkholes in the parking lot," Storey said, adding that facilities dug up a couple of the sinkholes, hoping to fix a couple of spots.

Dean said that debris was pushed into the area long ago, and asphalt was put on top of it.

"I had my guys work on it just last week for a couple of days," Dean said to the Gazette in a Monday, Oct. 2 interview.

The repairs cost facilities a skid steer rental, and the gravel has been returned to the holes.

Dean said there were bricks, wood, and chunks of concrete under the asphalt.

"Over time, wood deteriorates and breaks down and leaves voids, and there's nothing to support the asphalt," Dean said.

Dean said it was necessary maintenance, and facilities has it repaired for now.