Algood Weighing Options With Water Tower’s Future

Algood city officials are considering their options regarding the future of the town’s old water tower.

Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said the city recently received estimates on how much it would cost the city to either restore or demolish the structure.

“We’ve got an estimate for tearing it down, and that’s about $30,000, and to have it painted is $100,000,” Chapman-Fowler said. “We have to be good stewards of the city’s money. Naturally, we can’t pay $100,000 to get the thing painted when it only costs $30,000 to have it taken down.”

The estimates were first presented during the Algood City Council’s February work session.

Despite the cost of restoration, Chapman-Fowler said the city could potentially put some money towards restoration with some requirements.

“We have talked about maybe putting the $30,000 that it would take to tear it down… and putting it towards the $100,000 that would pay for the painting,” Chapman-Fowler said. “Then, there would have to be a committee or group formed, and they would have to raise the rest of the money.”

Chapman-Fowler said she herself would like to see the tower restored as long as proper funds are in place.

“I grew up basically right across the street from the water tower,” Chapman-Fowler said. “I think it really means a lot to the citizens not just in that area, but it is one of the most iconic things we have in Algood. There’s no longer a depot, and we just need to keep as many things as we can in Algood that reminds us of our heritage, how we started, and where we came from.”

Chapman-Fowler notes that the proposed committee designed to help keep the tower would not be sanction or organized by City Council. Chapman-Fowler said the council would consider giving such a group one year to collect the remaining funds.

The fate of the Algood water tower will ultimately be decided by City Council.