News Release No. 486

MEDIA ADVISORY:
ONE AGENCY'S 'LAWN ORNAMENT' BECOMES CITY'S WATER SUPPLY

Water Tower at Lewis and Clark State Office Building Moving to Southwest Missouri

Volume 33-486

Contact: Larry Archer

(For immediate release)

573-751-3807

Nov. 29, 2005

WHO: Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Pittsburg Tank and Tower Company

WHAT: Removal of water tower from front lawn of Lewis and Clark State Office Building

WHEN: Beginning week of Nov. 28. Estimated to take two weeks.

WHERE: Lewis and Clark State Office Building, 1101 Riverside Drive, Jefferson City. For map
to site, see Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/shared/map-lewisandclark.htm.

WHY: Pittsburg Tank and Tower Company, Henderson, Ky., has begun removal of the 67-year-old water tower located on the front lawn of the Lewis and Clark State Office Building, home of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Known by department employees as "the world's largest lawn ornament" because of its inactive status, the tower will be disassembled for reuse by the city of Branson West.

One of the few "witches hat" towers remaining in the country, it was left in place during construction of the Lewis and Clark Building for possible use in providing water to the building. Because of a number of repair and maintenance issues, which will be addressed during the tower's reassembly in Branson West, the decision was made in April 2004 not to use it. The Office of Adminstration, State Agency for Surplus Property, notified all Missouri communities that the tower was available for the cost of demolition and cleanup. Stone County Public Water Supply District No. 2, which serves Branson West, was the only entity to express interest.

The process for removing the tower, which involves the use of an industrial crane, should provide interesting visuals. Weather and other unforeseen factors can affect the progress of this
project. Outlets interested in this story should call ahead to check project status before arriving at the Lewis and Clark Building.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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