Water Panel OKs Demolition of Aging Tower in Pico Rivera
It has cast its long shadow over Pico Rivera for decades, but now the town’s oldest water tower is coming down.
After four years of debate, the Pico Water District board voted last week to demolish the rusty 110-foot tower, erected in 1926, rather than pay to fix it.
Officially, the steel structure hasn’t been designated a landmark, but the local historical society at one point tried to keep it standing.
District officials estimate it would cost more than $100,000 to replace the steel rods, secure the access hatches and the ladder, and chip off the old lead-based paint. Instead, the board voted to allow a contractor to blow up the tower for about $17,000.
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