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Broadway water tower restoration nears completion

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Leaders say this is a chance to 'turn an eyesore into an opportunity'

By Don Wilburn

news@theeveningtimes.com

Look! Up in the sky! It's not a bird or a plane. It's… dueling guitars? One of West Memphis' most iconic landmarks, the historic water tower on Broadway, is getting a facelift thanks to a collaborative effort led by Main Street West Memphis. The restoration and repainting of the tower are well underway, with the final touches expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Raymond Whiteside, of Main Street West Memphis, shared exciting updates on the project, highlighting the significance of the water tower's location in the heart of the city. 'It's an important project because of the tower's location,' Whiteside explained.

'We are trying to spur growth and development in the downtown area.' The $50,000 renovation project, which includes repainting and adding new designs to the tower, is being funded through a partnership between the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Advertising and Promotion (A& P) Commission which are each contributing $25,000.

Whiteside emphasized the value of the project, noting, 'We got a heck of a deal on the project. The bid we received from Viking Industrial Painting was very affordable, and we couldn't pass up this opportunity. Don't get me wrong, $50,000 is a lot of money, but when it's being split between the city and the A& P Commission, it's a steal in the grand scheme of things.'

The updated water tower will feature two new logos that will be visible from both directions on Broadway, east and west. The hope is that the tower's revamped look will spark community pride, enhance the city's branding efforts, and provide future opportunities for marketing.

'We are hoping the long-term impact will be community

See TOWER, page A3

Photo by Raymond Whiteside TOWER

From page A1

pride, branding, and media opportunities,' Whiteside said. 'It seems like other cities have attractions like this that get put on postcards, tshirts, or become social media hotspots. We're hoping this project will attract some buzz to our community.'

As the project nears completion, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a fresh, vibrant water tower that not only enhances the city's downtown but also plays a key role in shaping West Memphis’ identity moving forward.

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