Past mine subsidence could mean costly future in Maryville

Sinking soil, cracked walls may mean new village hall, police station

By Kathy Turner • The Donk Brothers Coal and Coke Company mine in Maryville, which opened in 1902 and closed in 1925, may have a costly impact on the village over the next few years. 

One of the action items at the Dec. 17 board meeting included a proposal from Durbin Geothermal, Inc. to conduct exploratory drilling and report on needed mine remediation under the village. 

In the recent past, it was determined that the administrative building and the police department headquarters are both showing signs of damage due to mine subsidence. Former Mayor Craig Short quipped that “Lake Maryville” would form in the grassy area between the police station and North Center Street after heavy rains due in part to mine subsidence.

Mine subsidence is not unusual for the region. At Glen Carbon’s Orchard Town Center shopping area, the main anchor tenant, Meier, haes delayed building its store because of remediation needed for mine subsidence first.

Several years ago, Maryville began working with an insurance company because of some storm damage. As engineers and adjusters checked the buildings, it became obvious that there was damage that would require building replacement.

The bid from Durbin Geothermal is the first step in identifying a potential site for a new administrative building and police department facility. The company will determine if property owned by the village is suitable for construction. If work needs to be done to fill areas, this will be considered in addition to the cost of new building(s).

When called for a vote, trustee Mike Vallino questioned whether the exploration services of Durbin Geothermal were a step that the village may not be prepared to make. “Are we expending all this money to explore something (construction) that we aren’t sure how we’re going to pay for?” he asked. 

Village Administrator Tonya Flannery explained that a conversation with the village auditor assured her that securing funding for replacement buildings if needed would be something the village could do through various means based on their financial state. 

And, she and others said, the cost of this exploration service could be considered part of the overall project when funding is secured. 

After some discussion, the motion to approve the contract, after legal review is conducted, carried with Vallino voting no and trustee Larry Gulledge abstaining from the vote. 

Editor Charles Bolinger contributed some information to this article.