A temporary fix is in place after a road collapsed in the Palm Bay Estates neighborhood, but city officials and the homeowners association (HOA) board cannot agree on who should pay for repairs. The collapse, caused by a failed water drainage pipe installed in 1985, has left 230 families waiting for a resolution. City officials say the HOA owns the pipe and has known for years that it needed fixing. The HOA board, however, claims the city should bear the cost because its water runs through the pipe.
Palm Bay officials say the HOA board has repeatedly refused to address the issue despite repeated city offers to help. In early 2025, the city proposed a $40,000 contribution toward repairs, but city manager records show the HOA rescinded its vote to replace the pipe in November 2025. Terry Stuhlmiller, president of the HOA board, said the pipe first failed two years ago, and a hole expanded last year, prompting crews to place steel plates over it to allow traffic. He said heavy rains this week caused the hole to open again.
Stuhlmiller said the city has known about the problem for years but has not taken responsibility. “The city’s water is the only thing that comes through that pipe, so we feel they should be the ones to fix it,” he said. City officials, however, argue that the HOA owns the infrastructure and has not used city funds for repairs. The dispute has left residents frustrated, with some saying the situation is dangerous for seniors who rely on the road for emergency access.
Olin Hilton, a resident, said neighbors are concerned about safety. “Repair it and be done with it so we don’t have to worry about it anymore,” he said. Attorneys for both the city and HOA have been working to reach a deal, but no agreement has been reached yet. The temporary steel plates remain in place, and residents continue to wait for a resolution.