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City of Elk River <br />Jackson Street Water Tower Condition Assessment August 3, 2015 <br />CDG Project # 15010.00 <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The Jackson Street Water Tower was built in 1920 by the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery <br />Company as part of a water works project that developed a fire protection program for the <br />City of Elk River. The Water Tower consists of a 100,000 gallon tank on a four leg, lattice -girder <br />trestle tower and stands approximately 129 feet tall. The Tower is currently coated with paint <br />that is assumed to be lead-based, and displays a non -historic City of Elk River logo, which <br />differs from the original silver tank and red conical roof. The structure was added to the <br />National Register of Historic Places on May 23, 2012. <br />The City of Elk River and the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission have plans to restore <br />this structure. The intent of this Condition Assessment is to provide an understanding of the <br />required restoration work, along with the associated costs. <br />SCOPE OF REPORT <br />Review of Documents <br />Available documents regarding the Jackson <br />Street Water Tower were limited, but the <br />National Register of Historic Places <br />Registration Form was reviewed to gain an <br />understanding of the structure's construction <br />and history. This paperwork informed us that, <br />besides cleaning and painting of the Water <br />Tower, no alterations had been made to the <br />structure since its construction. <br />Discussions with City of Elk River Personnel <br />The Jackson Street Water Tower is an iconic <br />landmark, and provides an important piece <br />of the identity and heritage of the City of Elk <br />River. The historic paint colors were silver for <br />the main structure and tank, and red for the <br />sloped roof. Simple black lettering spelled <br />out "Elk River' on the side of the tank. <br />The water tank structure was constructed in <br />1920 by the Minneapolis Steel and Machinery <br />Company. The tank was constructed initially <br />as a response to the many fires that occurred <br />in the downtown area. These fires were <br />difficult to fight since the railroad line created <br />a barrier between the downtown and the <br />river. After the construction of newer water <br />tanks in other locations, the Jackson Street <br />Water Tower was de -commissioned in 1960. <br />ELN <br />C COLLABORATIVE DesignGroup,inc. <br />