City approves $288,975 demolition of Bradley Place water tank and $99,600 monitoring task order; council discusses salvaging parts for public art

The High Point Finance Committee approved demolition of a decommissioned elevated storage tank and a related third‑party monitoring contract Thursday, while members discussed whether parts of the historic structure might be repurposed as public art.

Robbie Stone, public service director, said the city owns a decommissioned 1,000,000‑gallon Bradley Place elevated storage tank built in 1930 that was taken out of service after a new tank began operating in 2018. Stone told the committee the city solicited proposals in December, received five bids and that Total Wrecking and Environmental LLC was the lowest responsive bidder. "We are requesting to award this to Total Wrecking and Environmental in the amount of $288,975," Stone said; the bidder estimated the demolition could be performed in 90 days and funds are available in the current budget.

Councilwoman Peters said she had opposed demolition in 2018, noted the tank’s historic architecture and suggested the city discuss reclaiming parts with the contractor and local arts groups including VISTA High Point, Viva La Arts and the Southwest Renewal Foundation so elements could be used as public art without posing safety hazards. "It could be a really super cool opportunity to still allow that to be somewhere in High Point," Peters said.

Stone acknowledged the concern and said the city would discuss salvage with the contractor. Councilman Tim Andrew asked why bids varied by nearly $1 million; Stone said higher bidders planned crane‑assisted removal while the low bidder proposed a shearing method that does not use a crane. Stone said the city will engage a consultant to review the contractor’s demolition plan once on site to ensure protection of nearby homes, some built about 1922.

Stone also presented a task order with Terracon for professional engineering services to provide vibration monitoring and lead‑paint monitoring during the demolition. "Funds are available for this in our current budget, and we're recommending to award this task order to Terracon in the amount of $99,600," Stone said. Committee members asked whether those responsibilities rest with the contractor; Stone said contractors are insured but the city typically hires a third party for independent assessment to protect surrounding residents and workers. He confirmed the tank’s exterior likely contains lead paint given the tank’s age.

The committee moved, seconded and approved both the demolition contract and the Terracon task order. The transcript records committee approval for both items but does not include detailed roll‑call votes.