It’s not done yet, but Emporia’s new water tower will be the site of a unique ceremony Tuesday.
A bowl-raising event begins at 11:30 am at the tower site, which is near South Avenue, Penny Lane and Warren Way. The roughly $3.5 million, 1-million-gallon water tower has been under construction since January and will improve service to both residential and industrial customers nearby.
For Tuesday’s ceremony, a construction crane will be placed near the tower so Warren Way will be closed from the north Simmons Pet Food parking lot on Warren Way to Penny Lane. There will also be a special viewing area that will be roped off or taped off so people can watch without wearing hard hats and safety vests.
Parking will be approved along Penny Lane from South to Warren. Residents attending are told to arrive at least 15 minutes early to help offset parking congestion.
Once the bowl is raised, interior work will continue before the tower is ready for use early next year. Federal money is offsetting around $1.5 million of the total project cost.
