PMFORUM Breaking News

Reported by Ann R. Miller in Dallas

The Town of Addison, a suburb of Dallas, is soon to become the first Texas municipality (and one of the few in the USA) to build a self-powered water tower. The project when completed will double as a piece of art. Wind turbines on top of the tower will provide enough energy to run the tower as well as the street lights on nearby Arapaho Road. The project includes a classroom at the base of the tower where people (both school children and general public) can learn about wind generation and water distribution.

A collaboration of the Town of Addison's Public Works and Parks Departments, Fort Worth engineering firm Freese and Nichols, and Dallas artist Brad Goldberg, the project is expected to go to construction in the Spring of 2010.

Some details of the project:

• Location: Arapaho Rd. and Surveyor Blvd., Addison, Texas, USA
• 1.5 million gallon storage tank
• 195 feet tall
• Ten (10) 8-foot tall wind turbines on top will supply enough power to run tower as well as street lights on Arapaho Road
• Possibly only wind-powered water tower in Texas; one of few in country
• Classroom at base to provide education on wind energy and water distribution
• Landscaping to include native and drought-tolerant plants
• Engineering firm: Freese and Nichols, Fort Worth, Texas
• Artist: Brad Goldberg, Dallas. Artist specializes in fusing sculpture, landscape and urban design with the place and local culture of a community
• Estimated cost: Approximately US$5 million
• Timeframe: Construction to start spring 2010.

Image: courtesy of Freese & Nichols and Town of Addison.

For more information, visit http://www.addisongreen.info/projects/addisons-proposed-water-tower/