An old eyesore on the city's skyline may be in for a radical transformation soon.
The Pearl Street water tower – a rusting hulk, rising high above the surroundings in the city's core – is to be discussed at Tuesday's planning committee meeting of city council, starting at 2 p.m. The tower sits on 1.3 acres fronting on Pearl Street.
The application, by Westar Investments Inc. is to add residential dwelling units to the abandoned structure, along with already approved restaurant and banquet facilities, and commercial office space.
On June 6, 2006, the planning committee approved a rezoning application by Cory Prause, a project manager for Hatch Associates, to permit the conversion of the abandoned Pearl Street water tower into restaurant, commercial office space, off-site parking and advertising billboards.
The initial proposal for the site outlined a potential for approximately 6,900 square feet of residential space, 6,900 square feet of office space or banquet facilities and 2,000 square feet of bar/lounge area, for a total of 16,000 square feet of floor space.
The plan was to convert the structure into a unique tourist attraction that would feature a restaurant, bar and lounge overlooking the city, and a number of commercial spaces. In a Northern Life article published in June 2006, Prause estimated it would take about $3.5 million, plus inflation, and more than two years to transform the structure.
As part of this proposal, advertising signs would be established between the pillars of the water tower.
This approval was conditional on a site plan agreement. The site plan has been finalized. The intent of the applicant now is to replace the advertising with proposed residential development. That would entail changing the zoning from C3-23 Limited General Commercial Special to C3-S Limited General Commercial Special. The applicant also owns land across the street that could be utilized for parking if required.
