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Hamburg Water Tower Project on a Roll
The water tower located in Hamburg, New York, is rusting, but thanks to a new petition for fundraising recently approved by local government, the structure may be getting a new paint job to reflect the town’s name.
Hamburg’s Hamburger
As PaintSquare Daily News reported earlier this year, Chris Hannotte Luly, a 15-year resident of the town, was behind the push to repaint the tower, having established an online petition in favor of the makeover. It's actually not the first time the idea has come up, though; in 1993, there was a similar push, turned down reportedly because of opposition to the idea and the cost to taxpayers.
On the new petition’s website, Luly detailed her rationale for wanting the water tower to look like a hamburger, emphasizing that it would help put the town on the map with tourists.
Hamburg OKs raising money to transform water tower into burger https://t.co/3F5WEgiUmU pic.twitter.com/9jnGYt3Ijq
— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) December 19, 2017
In addition to the town's name and the tank's shape, he paint job proposal also references the history of the town, which lays claim (albeit contested) to being the birthplace of the hamburger in 1885.
“I just want to give something back to ‘the town that friendship built,’” Luly told WKBW. She added that she hoped the new paint job would draw new visitors off of I-90 and Route 75.
Government Approval
According to The Buffalo News, 2,200 residents signed Luly’s petition to repaint the tower, located near Southwestern Boulevard, South Park Avenue, and the New York State Thruway.
On Monday (Dec. 18), the town board approved for fundraising for the paint job to begin, but a design must be approved—and funding obtained—before work can begin.
Previously, the town conducted a structural integrity test on the tower to ensure that the tower is sound and can be painted. Lead was also found in the paint after testing; this will increase the cost of the paint job, which may ring in at $1 million.
Moving forward, residents must create a design that passes approval, as well as raise the money needed privately. Luly herself plans to put together a three- to five-person board to help with planning and fundraising.
"I'd like to have a lot of fun-raising events, not just fundraising events," Luly told The Buffalo News.
The town itself has not offered financial assistance for the project.
