Mebane’s city council voted unanimously to proceed with getting design plans, that will cost $25,000 to $45,000, for potential lighting of the new water tank now under construction on South Third Street.
The so-called “uplighting” would include “the ability to change colors depending on local events and/or seasons and the ability to control [the lighting] remotely,” according to the Public Works Department. Lighting the water tank “will give the tank a more aesthetically pleasing appearance at night,” according to the department.
Design work will cost $25,000 to $45,000, with equipment and installation costing an additional $125,000 to $160,000, according to estimates provided to the council by public works director Kyle Smith.
The water tank project itself is currently $40,000 under budget and has an unspent contingency of $150,000, it was noted. The top of the water tank is expected to go on about mid-September, Smith reported.
Several councilmen were enthusiastic about the idea.
“At first I was just a little concerned trying to be careful about the cost,” noted councilman Jonathan White, “but as I’ve driven by, and analyzed the height, I think it is a great opportunity to advertise Mebane on the interstate, I’m moving strongly in favor of it.”
Councilman Tim Bradley noted the possibilities of red, white, and blue being used for the Fourth of July, green and gold (the school’s colors) “when Eastern wins a state championship.”
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Bradley later, [but] “not a $190,000 worth.” In the end, however, Bradley joined the council’s 5-0 vote to proceed with the design work for lighting the water tank.
Mebane’s current, existing water tank is not lighted.
Read the newspaper’s editorial page views on the proposed “uplighting” of Mebane’s water tank, “Silly, wasteful spending in Mebane”: https://alamancenews.com/silly-wasteful-spending-in-mebane/
