Tower plans advance
By STU MERRY
Garrison’s proposed new water tower will have four times the capacity of its two predecessors.
Garrison City Council’s Utilities Committee met with officials from Moore Engineering Wednesday, July 16 to discuss the planned above ground water storage structure. The group didn’t stop there. The group also went over plans for proposed major infrastructure improvements around the city.
At the table were Utilities Committee members Mayor Shannon Jeffers and Alderman Dave Reinarts. Representing Moore Engineering was Brian Julius and Kent Ritterman. Also at the meeting was Maintenance Supervisor Allan Beyreis, Alderman Glenn Nygard and Auditor Diane Affeldt.
The proposed water tower would be a 400,000-gallon tank. Its estimated cost is $1.8 million. The current two-tower capacity is 90,000 gallons.
Julius and Ritterman said that if things continue to move forward, a bid opening for the new water tower could come as soon as September. And if favorable bids are received, construction could begin in May. “That’s our hope,” Ritterman said.
The proposed tower would be a single leg structure 126 feet tall. It will be placed in the footprint of the present “Cold” water tower. The “Hot” tower would remain in service until the new tower is ready, then it will be demolished.
This site was chosen because nearly all piping is presently in place, which would be a cost saving. The plan is to install the foundation and erect and paint the structure in one construction season.
Following a successful bid opening in Oakes, Ritterman is optimistic that bids will come in close to estimates. Engineers think securing bids this fall will put the Garrison project at or near the top of the list when construction season arrives in the spring.
