Last-minute modifications approved for new Lytle water tower

By Anton Riecher
A design conflict involving the city of Lytle logo emblazoned on the new elevated water storage tank and the required addition of an access hatch necessitated action by the city council Monday evening.
Mayor Ruben Gonzalez attributed the late modification to a “communications breakdown.”
“These details should have been caught because we talked about this from the very beginning,” he said.
Scott Horowitz with the consulting firm TRC Engineers confirmed that the cost of modifying the logo “will not be borne by the city.”
The last minute change is only the latest headache regarding the long-delayed water tower project that is expected to be finished by Thanksgiving. Horowitz said the lengthy process of filling the tank by two-foot increments should be completed by the end of October.
Repainting to modify the logo design is necessary to work around placement of an access hatch or “manway” near the bottom of the elevated tank. Relocating the hatch was rejected as warranting major structural modifications and causing further delay.
“The contractor would not have a crew available for almost a year out,” Horowitz said.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 5 Alderman Matthew Martinez, the council voted 4-0 to make the name “Lytle” larger and move the slogan “Home of the Pirates” into the yellow band around the tank. District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes was absent from the meeting.
The “Lytle – Home of the Pirates” design appears on opposite sides of the tank located near Interstate 35. Gonzalez also asked for a change in…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!