Water tower art project still a go

Water tower art project still a go

Big things in store for Main Street West Memphis heading into 2018

news@theeveningtimes.com

Main Street West Memphis has a few irons in the fire as the Christmas season brings lit evergreen wreaths to the gaslight globe-styled street lights in the historic district. The fifth annual Holiday Arts Pop-up Shop is open for business on select dates. Three buildings have been granted upgrades to roofs by the development district. But the most visible project slated, the modern art decoration of the historic Cotton Compress water tower has not shown any signs of progress, at least on site.

The artist, architect Randy Walker, was commissioned for nearly $250,000 for his design of the tower being encircled from tank-toground with strands of steel guy-wires adorned with blue medallions and lit with the decorative LED multi-color lights, similar to the bridge lights on the Big River Crossing.

The strands, dotted with blue medallions, give a spillover effect from the tower tank as they cascade toward the ground where the guywires are anchored.

The due date was set for the week between Christmas and New years, this year. But work at the site has yet to begin. No foundations for the cement benches that anchor the guy lines have been dug. The lighting design called for the LED’s to be mounted on top off the bench backs amongst the steel cables. There is an old meter box at the base of the old water fixture awaiting revival. So, what’s going on? It turns out, plenty.

Main Street West Memphis Executive Director Deborah Abernathy isn’t worried. She indicated communication with the artist was taking place regularly and that everything is on schedule. Walker is reportedly building components in his shop back home in Minnesota. Upon completion, he will send the pieces south for a relatively quick assembly. In an interview last week, Abernathy said she did not know exactly when Walker would arrive to begin constructing the sculpture.

“He is manufacturing the parts and will have them shipped,” said Abernathy. “I’m assuming it will not take too much time to put it together once it is here.”

Additionally, Abernathy said there are plans for the artist to make presentations at local schools after he arrives in West Memphis.

Abernathy said the buzz about the water tower adornment and the new city library set directly across the street on the 500 block of Broadway had building owners eyeing Main Street grants to upgrade roofs, windows and awnings. The adjacent Masner Furniture recently got new windows and was set to repaint its metal awning after a meeting with city planners. Marco McClendon’s neighboring building had the facade upgraded this year and landed another grant to fix the roof next year. The West Memphis Chamber of Commerce also landed a Main Street grant to resurface its roof next year on the midcentury

modern styled office.

“Grant money is available for retailers to apply and must be used by June,” said Abernathy. “With the library excitement, many businesses want to spiffy up.”

By John Rech