Norman City Council unanimously approved a contract between TMI Coatings and Norman Utilities Authority that will allow repainting and branding of the Lindsey Street water tower during its special meeting Tuesday.
The news: 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 approved contract amount is $532,200. $300,000 will be transferred from the Robinson Tower Resurfacing project, adding to the existing $276,874 allocated to the Lindsey water tower project, according to a staff report.
What they’re saying: Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant said that they would be interested in a city of Norman logo on the tower.
Norman Utilities Director Chris Mattingly said next week a contract with an undisclosed external entity for a logo deal will be brought to the council for discussion.
Norman City Manager Darrel Pyle told OU Daily July 15 the city is looking for a $500,000 logo deal over a 10 year period with the undisclosed external entity.
Mattingly said TMI Coatings will travel from Minnesota on Friday to assess the work required for the tower so the project can be completed by October.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said council was asked not to disclose the name of the company it has been working with regarding a tower logo deal.
“(The company) asked that we not disclose yet as the details are still being worked out,” Holman said. “The details of this agreement and the vote on that will be a public vote and will all be disclosed.”
Holman said council originally wanted to propose an option to have both city and university logos on the tower.
“I wouldn’t say it’s off the table. If this deal with this company that wants to put their logo on it doesn't work out then that opportunity to work with the university is still there,” Holman said.
Holman said additional tower amenities such as decorative lighting would be a separate cost.
“There was a line item for how much that might cost, probably $300,000 range, maybe if you want to do some real elaborate lighting scheme, …” Holman said. “Potentially we could use some of the visitor tax funds for tourism, arts and parks and would fit all three of those categories, I’ve argued.”
Mattingly said that TMI Coatings previously painted the Robinson Street water tower and the paint has had a long lifespan.
Holman said he was hopeful that the Lindsey Street water tower project would last just as long.
“Hopefully this can last at least that long, at least 10 to 15 years, and then city council can decide what to do then, …” Holman said “Hopefully by then, even if the logo that might end up on it with this company expires, to me that would just be another opportunity to do something like a blank canvas, another community art project. I think that opportunity will always be there as long as that tower is there.”
This story was edited by Reagan Rozzi.
