Council Delays Vote on Water Tank Pact

City Council members decided to postpone a decision on a proposed $1.3-million contract for the foundation work for tanks that would hold 8 million gallons of water. The proposed contract was forwarded to the Financial Review Committee for more information.

The project would replace the tank that ruptured on Hefley Street in 1998. Six people were injured and more than 30 families were displaced when a 6-foot-high wall of water damaged a housing complex and fire station. City officials had estimated the damage at nearly $30 million.

The tank project, which would hold water for drinking and fire emergency use, is proposed at a new 1.6-acre site, at Hoover Street and Trask Avenue.

Council members decided last week to postpone deciding on the contract and to ask the 10-member committee for additional recommendations on various designs and costs of such a project.

Councilman Russell Paris said he expects to receive some input from the panel by February.