Massive Sinkhole Disrupts Life in Philadelphia's Old City

Neighbors and businesses frustrated as repairs drag on for months

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A large sinkhole that appeared on a historic street in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood around Christmas has continued to disrupt traffic and frustrate neighbors and nearby businesses. The sinkhole sits along the 200 block of Church Street, a narrow roadway lined with homes, small businesses and frequent tourist foot traffic. Residents and business owners say the issue has been ongoing for months, with city crews working intermittently on the site, often during overnight hours.

Why it matters

The sinkhole has made it harder for businesses to operate and receive deliveries, and has become an eyesore for tourists visiting the historic neighborhood. With Philadelphia expected to welcome large numbers of visitors this summer, some worry the unresolved issue could leave a poor impression on the city.

The details

The sinkhole first appeared in late December, causing a temporary loss of water service for nearby residents on Christmas Day. While water service was eventually restored, the sinkhole has remained in the roadway for months. City crews have come to work on the site intermittently, often during overnight hours, but the issue has yet to be fully resolved.

  • The sinkhole first appeared in late December.
  • Residents lost water service on Christmas Day.

The players

Mittul Patel

The general manager of Old City Coffee, a business affected by the sinkhole.

Stephanie Ott

An Old City resident who described the situation as "chaotic."

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What they’re saying

“It's a beautiful, charming street. Obviously it makes it harder to walk across, do deliveries, trash pickup.”

— Mittul Patel, General Manager, Old City Coffee (CBS News Philadelphia)

“It's been a big issue with the through traffic, because now people can't get down Church Street.”

— Stephanie Ott, Old City Resident (CBS News Philadelphia)

What’s next

The Philadelphia Water Department has been contacted to confirm the cause of the sinkhole and provide an update on when repairs may be completed.

The takeaway

The prolonged sinkhole issue in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood highlights the disruption such infrastructure problems can cause for local businesses and residents, especially in areas that rely heavily on tourism. Resolving the sinkhole before the busy summer season is crucial to maintaining the neighborhood's charm and appeal for visitors.