Photo: Prapat Aowsakorn / iStock / Getty Images
Two businesses in Bethlehem remain closed due to a 23-foot crack in the ground that poses a significant safety risk. The Hoffman Car Wash and Jiffy Lube on Delaware Avenue were shut down after town officials identified the crack as an "imminent threat to public safety." The crack is located near the Normans Kill creek, and portions of the slope on the property are actively moving, raising concerns about a potential landslide.
According to Times Union, the closure was prompted by a report from the town's geotechnical engineer, which indicated that the forces of stability and instability on the slope are at equilibrium. Any external force, such as heavy rainfall, could destabilize the slope further.
Bethlehem Town Attorney Jim Potter explained that the northwest side of the parking lot, where the crack is visible, is most at risk. Engineers from both the town and Hoffman Car Wash are assessing the situation to determine the extent of the instability. Potter noted, "We're concerned if the slope were to fail, would it stop at that crack or would it extend into the parking area's lanes of travel?"
News10 reported that the closure was decided after a meeting with town officials and was timed ahead of a predicted nor'easter. The CEO of Hoffman Car Wash, Tim Hoffman Jr., acknowledged the town's decision, stating, "You're a town and you have health and safety and you have to listen to the experts you hire."
The businesses will remain closed until the property is deemed safe. In the meantime, customers with unlimited wash plans can use other Hoffman Car Wash locations. Engineers are expected to continue monitoring the site to make a decision on when it might be safe to reopen.