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Commission directs manager to pursue contract for water‑tower demolition after lengthy debate
Summary
After extended debate and concerns about lead, asbestos and contractor qualifications, the commission directed the city manager to pursue a contract with H2O Towers LLC for demolition of the 125‑foot, 750,000‑gallon water tower and to return the proposed contract for attorney review and commission approval.
The City Commission on Oct. 6 directed the city manager to pursue a contract with H2O Towers LLC to demolish a 125‑foot, 750,000‑gallon water tower and to bring a fully reviewed contract back to the commission for approval.
Commissioners spent more than an hour debating the item. Commissioner Petrie raised extensive concerns about the bid’s level of detail, contractor insurance and handling of lead and asbestos; she cited a 2020 engineer’s report that recommended preservation options and said the project is “a huge project that contains possibly some toxic stuff.” Petrie said the city should consider hiring an engineer to oversee demolition planning rather than relying solely on a contractor bid.
Other commissioners said the lower H2O Towers bid appeared substantially less costly than a 2023 proposal and that a contract—rather than immediate demolition—would allow the city attorney and staff to spell out conditions such as insurance, asbestos abatement and scheduling. The commission debated whether to solicit additional bids; staff said they had contacted multiple demolition firms and heard back from two or three.
After discussion, Commissioner Brady moved to direct the city manager to pursue a contract with H2O Towers LLC and to ensure attorney review before returning the contract to the commission. The motion passed on a voice vote. No demolition work was authorized at the Oct. 6 meeting; commissioners asked for the contract to include explicit protections, insurance details and coordination with nearby facilities, including the hospital.
Commissioners said they expected the manager to seek a contract that addresses asbestos and lead abatement, contractor qualifications, engineered plans and a clear schedule and to return the contract to the commission before any demolition occurred.
