By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The presence of cables and supports hanging from Groveport’s 46-year-old, 200,000 gallon water tower, located on South Hamilton Road, means refurbishing work has begun on the structure.
“It’s a very intense period of time at the water plant site. There’s a lot of activity,” said Groveport City Engineer Steve Farst. “Apparatus is being put in place on the water tower for the shroud that will contain the sandblasting work. The whole process is also sensitive to the weather.”
Caldwell Tanks is performing the water tower refurbishments, which include tank and ladder repairs and repainting the water tower inside and out.
Farst said the water tower refurbishments should be completed by early July. He said the tank will then be sanitized and filled with water. He said the city is using the 100,000 gallon, 80-year-old “Tin Man” water tower, which is located north of Blacklick Street, while work is being done on the 200,000 gallon water tower.
“It’s nice to have that extra water storage and the older tank has been functioning well,” said Farst.
After the 200,000 gallon water tower is up and running again, the city plans to eventually demolish the “Tin Man” water tower.
“There’s no definite timeline to demolish it,” said Farst. “It’s possible it could be taken off line by the end of the year. We still have to explore how to demolish it.”
In related water news, Farst said the city’s new $2.6 million water plant on South Hamilton Road is expected to be operational by mid-June.
“There is more automation and more sophisticated equipment in the new water plant,” said Farst.
Water plant employees are learning about the new equipment. He said even though the new plant has more automation than the old plant, a human presence is still a must for the new water plant.
“Automation is nice, but a lot can happen so you need workers who can monitor and control the operation of the plant,” said Farst.
Groveport Heritage Society seeks variance
Council heard the first reading of an ordinance to grant a zoning variance to the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society for a triangular shaped property at 536 Wirt Road, located across from the Groveport Cemetery and log house, to allow the society to relocate and display a historic Ohio and Erie Canal era building on the site.
The society’s plan is to move and restore a 62 x 21 foot, one story, brick structure – that is believed to have been used as a smokehouse, bakery and ice house during the 19th century canal era – to the site. The building is currently located at the southeast corner of Rohr and Pontius roads.
The city’s planning and zoning commission will review the variance request on June 1 at 6 p.m. in the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
