City proposes to paint water tower on Broadway

Proposal aims to restore tank and not legs to keep costs down

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

The city of West Memphis is taking steps to revitalize one of its most prominent, or perhaps infamous, landmarks, the large water tower located on Broadway. Raymond Whiteside, the Director of Community Development, is spearheading a project to repaint and restore the deteriorating structure.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $47,000, with the Advertising and Promotion department footing half of the bill. However, this cost does not include the legs of the water tower, which could potentially double the price if they also require restoration. Several city council members as well as Mayor McClendon inquired about the possibility to include the legs saying that they were the most in need of restoration and while nothing is _nalized yet, the option is not off the table.

Viking Industrial Painting is currently being considered to complete the restoration work, with speci_c guidelines in place for the project. The _nal artwork on the water tower will consist of solid colors without shading, with the existing corrosion on the structure representing a “patina” or retro effect.

“This type of application would give it that sort of weathered look,” says Whiteside, “Which would look good for seven to ten years and as it begins to fade would still look good and have a rustic look to it.”

Whiteside went on to say that they did not consider a full restoration of the tower which would involve sand blasting, curtains, lead testing and perhaps shutting down lanes on Broadway and local businesses at a cost of 300400k.

The legs, riser, and roof of the water tower will be left uncoated to retain the existing patina, while the tank shell walls and bowl will receive a full coat of epoxy to lock in the existing coatings and patina. The tank bowl will also receive a coat of polyurethane as an accent color.

According to A& P Director of Tourism Jim Jackson, the _nal design will be chosen by committee.

These are just two of the “retro” designs proposed by the project.

Photos courtesy of the City of West Memphis