I agree with all of the above statements and the city should do something to correct asap. Has this been the local news tv stations? Maybe it'll get some traction if it's reported there.

On a lighter note- It could be is the city is digging to look for the Upside Down.

For those who don't watch Stranger Things:

The Upside Down is an alternate dimension that mirrors our world — or at least our world if it was a toxic hellscape overrun with creepy, moving vines, filled with murderous creatures linked together in a hive mind system, and is constantly experiencing electrical storms.