Yelm Historic Water Tower Restoration Project

Yelm Historic Water Tower Restoration Project

water towerLocal nonprofit, Save the Historic Yelm Water Tower, is pleased to announce that work is about to get underway for prepping and painting the historic Yelm water tower. The water tower was listed by the WA State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation on the WA Heritage Register of Historic Places back in 2017 and funds were secured to restore and preserve it in 2019. Save the Historic Water Tower was able to secure $300,000 from the Washington State capital budget to cover the cost of fencing, landscaping, repainting and building an interpretive kiosk. State Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, played a vital role in securing these funds and getting the project included into capital budget.

The City of Yelm which owns the now empty and unused water tower has extended its full support for the project through a permissive use agreement and with the understanding that the nonprofit is responsible for project funding. Mayor Foster, Public Works Director, Cody Colt, City Administrator, Michael Grayum, and the city council have all been enthusiastically supportive of this undertaking according to Steve Craig, President of the nonprofit.

The prepping and painting should be completed over the next couple of months, weather permitting. Once completed the next phase involves landscaping, fencing, an interpretive kiosk, and computerized lighting. The lighting system will have the ability to present a variety of different lighting displays that can highlight holidays such as the 4th of July and Christmas, community events and potentially even Seahawks colors on game days.

According to Craig the tower project would not be happening without the support of the Yelm community. He is especially appreciative of the nonprofit board members, who came together and agreed to help make this undertaking happen. These members include Barrie Wilcox, Beverly Vines-Hanes, Margaret Clapp, and EJ Curry.