Peru ready to take property owner to court

A large sink hole near the site of an old brewery in Peru leads to tunnels that will take you under the railroad and eventually to the Illinois River.  And it’s taking the city to court.

The sink hole on Pike Street and the tunnels involve property owned by Linda Devine of Arizona.  The city council Monday night agreed with attorney Doug Schweickert’s suggestion that they take the owner to court for ordinance violations and place a lien on the property.

City officials also want Engineers with Chamlin and Associates to come up with plans for the sink hole.  Roger Chamlin says the tunnels carry the city’s storm sewer overflow and other sewage.  He says the tunnel system is extensive.

A number of aldermen think it’s time to get tough on the property owner, saying Devine hasn’t been cooperative and the land is overrun with weeds and garbage.