Spending Board Approves $337,000 Roland Water Tower Agreement

The city spending board approved transferring $337,000 from one agency to another to help restore the Roland Water Tower.

The Board of Estimates passed a memorandum of understanding during its regular meeting Wednesday, sending funds from the Department of Public Works to the Department of General Services to help pay for the restoration.

The tower is on the city's historic landmark list and is expected to cost about $1.2 million to repair. The amount of the transfer is the same amout it would cost to destroy the landmark. The agreement will expire at the time of the renovation's completion or by Jan. 31, 2016.

Last spring, the Maryland General Assemby approved for the restoriation project. But those funds are not available until the city spends at least an equal amount on repairs.

Surrounding neighborhoods—primarily Roland Park—have been working for several years to save the structure. Early last decade it became apparent the tower was not in good physcial shape. One of the largest issues was a huge pile of bird dung placing a lot of weight on the upper level of the water tower. 

In a bid to try and make sure the tower, which was built between 1904 and 1905, was preserved while funds were raised for its restoration Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke shephereded a bill through the City Council to place it on the city's landmark list.

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