Tower is coming down

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 3, 2006

PROCTORVILLE — A long-time Proctorville landmark will be no more by the end of the weekend.

The water tower formerly used to provide 100,000 gallons of water to local residents is being dismantled, a process that has been in the works for more than two years but has been delayed due to lack of funding.

Allstate Tower Company of Henderson, Ky., moved equipment in Tuesday to the corner of Walnut and Front streets and began surveying the 1930s-era tower and preparing the site for the removal of the faded green structure. The top portion of the water tower is expected to be removed this morning, then other pieces will be taken apart piece by piece. Village officials said the project should be completed in four days.

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Proctorville Mayor Jim Buchanan said he would be relieved when the useless structure is taken out of the village. The new tower, erected in 2003, stands beside its counterpart and has a capacity of 120,000 gallons.

“It (the old tower) is something we’re not using, so it’s good to get it removed,” Buchanan said.

The mayor said cooperation between the county and village governments has made the project possible. A $21,300 Community Development Block Grant administered by the Lawrence County Community Action Organization is paying for the removal of the tower.

Because it is in a fairly compact, residential neighborhood, special care is being taken in the structures dismantling, David Michael, CAO director for community development, has previously stated. Only a small portion of the streets around the tower will be blocked off, though, he said.

Michael dubbed the water tower “The Green Monster” and has stated he is happy that that it will be coming down. He said many Proctorville residents probably feel the same way.