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Commission defers decision on maintenance, demolition or monopole replacement of old water tower
Summary
After a detailed staff presentation on maintenance, painting, demolition and monopole options for the decommissioned water tower at Northwest Fourth, the commission voted to defer final action for two weeks to gather further input from nearby residents and cell carriers' propagation studies.
City staff presented options for the decommissioned Madison water tower near the former Lincoln School (identified as 5504 Northwest Fourth): continued maintenance, full repainting (including lead mitigation), demolition, removal of the tank leaving the pedestal, or replacing the structure with a monopole for cellular leases. Staff provided cost estimates: a four-year maintenance program estimated total ~$591,612 (annual costs rising to $14,000 in year five in the quote), painting quotes with a low estimate of $460,000 (which require lead mitigation and cannot simply paint over existing layers), demolition low estimate $138,000, and removing the tank while leaving the pedestal estimated at $177,250.
Staff explained carriers preferred a monopole at roughly the same location and height (about 65–70 feet) for propagation and home-internet service; carriers proposed erecting a temporary tower during demolition to maintain service and then installing a monopole. Staff said monopole construction costs could be borne by carriers in exchange for lease terms or that the city could own the monopole and lease space to carriers. Staff noted current carrier lease contracts would be renegotiated if the tower is demolished and a monopole installed; AT&T's lease runs to 2027.
The mayor and commissioners raised safety concerns about bent ladder rungs and lead-based paint on the existing structure. Staff said the tower was not immediately unsafe but some ladder runs are bent and access concerns remain, especially if carriers plan 5G equipment work. Staff also said there have been a few neighborhood calls in the past about the tower paint but no persistent complaints were reported.
After discussion and requests for more public input — including residents nearest the site and local developers — a commissioner moved to table the decision for two weeks. The motion to defer passed by voice vote. Staff said they would solicit additional feedback and attempt to obtain the carriers' propagation-study timing before returning to the commission.
