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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Firehouse, new citizens group compete for Manassas water tower

City of Manassas:
“The Manassas City Council voted this week to give the city’s 100-year-old water tower a six-month lease on life. After the waiting period, the council will discuss again whether to demolish the locally iconic blue tower, which says ‘Welcome to Manassas’ to motorists approaching the city’s historic center but requires costly upkeep and plays only a small part in the city’s modern water system.

Anticipating an upcoming need for costly repairs, the Water and Sewer Department has sought permission to tear down the tower, which processes only a tiny fraction of the city’s water but costs an estimated $10,000 per year to operate. The Architectural Review Board contested the utility’s request, and it is now up to the council to determine whether the 1914 structure is worth saving for its historic merit. Residents have sent letters and started a 600-member Facebook group in an effort to convince the council of the tower’s significance to their city.

Now, Stephen Hersch, who has led the citizen effort, says that the group is moving beyond Facebook posts. He is leading an effort to incorporate a nonprofit organization that would purchase the tower from the city.”
~Writes Julie Zauzmer of the Washington Post

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