Norman City Council discussed potential changes to the Lindsey Street water tower, which could be completed early in OU’s upcoming football season, during its conference meeting Tuesday.
The water tower was built over 100 years ago as part of Norman’s water system, but was deemed unfit for use in 2014 because it could no longer contain drinkable water, according to a staff report.
The news: Council discussed options to demolish or repaint the tower, with demolition expected to cost $400,000 and repainting to cost $500,000, according to Chris Mattingly, Norman utilities director.
A staff report states that, if approved, the repainting would need to be completed early in OU’s upcoming football season to attract sponsors to buy ad space on the tower when marketing potential is high. An unspecified external entity has already expressed interest in putting its logo on the tower, according to the report.
“It could be an opportunity for us to find a sponsor who sees (the tower) from right across the street from the Duck Pond and says, ‘I’d like to take advantage of that ... '” Norman City Manager Darrel Pyle said. “Sooner is always better than later.”
Pyle also said LED lights could be added to the tower to emit OU school colors on game days.
Bids for repainting the water tower opened June 23 and council was set to select a contractor Tuesday night, but no bids were received, according to Mattingly.
What they’re saying: Mattingly said the tower has to be filled with water so it’s stable.
“We haven't been in (the tower) in a while, and last time we left it full of water just so the wind didn't blow it over, kind of as a ballast,” Mattingly said. “We plan to fill it again. We're talking about maybe working with the fire department or someone to help us pump more water to make sure it has plenty in there just for weight.”
Pyle said the city will continue to look at the state’s list of preapproved bidders so it can hire a contractor immediately.
“We'll go through those state bids tomorrow morning, first thing, and if we are successful, we'll schedule that next conversation, bring (council) current pricing, and bring (council) the option to execute and go forward,” Pyle said.
This story was edited by Reagan Rozzi and Audrey McClour.
