The Goodyear Heights water tower may cast a tall shadow over Reservoir Park, but the iconic green landmark can be spotted throughout the neighborhood.
It’s found in the “Hope in the Heights” mural on the side of Wingfoot Church, on banners around the Reservoir Park Community Center, in the name and logo of Goodyear Heights’ seasonal Water Tower Marketplace. [Check out the next market, Aug. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Triangle Park, 1435 Goodyear Blvd., with live music from Xcetera.]
Sharon Connor, Akron City Council’s Ward 10 representative, believes the water tower and its nearby one-story brick pump station on Brittain Road – both decommissioned – are community symbols worth saving.
“Reservoir Park is one of my favorite places,” Connor said. “And this project, among others that have been done there, are high on my list. … Not only is the water tower of great historical value, it has great sentimental value and marketing value to the neighborhood.”
That’s why Connor and Council Vice President Jeff Fusco have been striving to preserve the water tower and pump station and repurpose them into STEM educational facilities. Having these facilities could teach Akronites of all ages the story of how clean drinking water travels from Lake Rockwell to the reservoir to kitchen faucets.
‘Critical to Akron’s success over the years’
The 111-year-old, 20-million gallon underground reservoir, just south of these structures, is in the early stages of a replacement project Akron City Council approved last summer.
“It’s been critical to Akron’s success over these years,” Connor said.
On July 21, the Public Service Committee added a $50,000 contract with MKSK Studios of Columbus to council’s consent agenda. The contract with MKSK is for professional engineering services and a feasibility study for the Reservoir Park water tower and pump station project. If approved after being read at three meetings, it will go into effect in 30 days.
Connor compared the importance of saving these Goodyear Heights landmarks to the preservation work Akron completed when it saved downtown’s Old Stone School.
“We think the pump station could house video footage of when the original reservoir was built. It could have historical pieces to it,” Connor said. “It’s a story that we’ve always wanted to share in the neighborhood and now on a bigger level.”
Firm’s portfolio includes Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus
And, she added, MKSK is familiar with Akron’s history. The firm is currently working on the Glendale Steps restoration project. The firm also designed Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus, a recreational and educational destination that was once a blighted industrial brownfield. Its water tower has been repurposed with two observation platforms.
“We went to visit it last December,” Connor said. “They not only put in all new concrete supports at the four legs of the project, they also installed a 15-foot-high and a 30-foot-high observation deck which stabilizes the whole structure and allows people to go up and take a beautiful vista view of the area.”
Connor said the water tower and pump station feasibility study in Goodyear Heights could take six to nine months to complete before MKSK approaches Akron City Council with conceptual drawings, suggestions on how to utilize the space and funding needs.