A sinkhole opened on the sidewalk on the 3200 block of Prospect Street early Wednesday and expanded to impact a neighboring empty treebox. The hole was anywhere between 8 and 20-feet-deep depending on whom you ask and Patch was unable to get a formal estimate on the depth from DC Water.

Street Services Manager for the Georgetown Business Improvement District, Sherman Gardner, said someone from the BID noticed the hole around 8 am. and that DC Water was on the scene within half an hour.

DC Water was still on the scene around 1:30 p.m. having placed a heavy metal plate over the hole. The area is now surrounded by orange cones and yellow caution tape.

Thursday they will return to make a more long-term fix to the sidewalk hazard, according to Gardner.

He said sinkholes are unfortunately common on that block of Prospect Street. In December 2010 a large sinkhole opened next to a construction site on the opposite side of the street. That blocked a lane of traffic for several days as construction and the sinkhole repairs continued.

Nearby business owner Virginia Burton of Burton Optician said a sinkhole opened in front of her shop after 2003's Hurricane Isabel. The sidewalk now dips in front of her shop.

Gardner said the BID would like to be able to improve the entire street, but that it will take significant cooperation with the city.