BY The Associated Press
OXFORD, Ohio -- City Council members are expected to accept a bid this week to demolish the town's 1922-vintage water tower, despite continuing efforts by supporters to restore and preserve the rusty landmark.
A Tower Project Committee offered the city $100,000 last week to restore and preserve the 130-foot tower, but Oxford Mayor Bill Snavely said he didn't expect the committee's offer to change council members' minds when they meet Tuesday to consider demolition bids.
"The tower has been debated five years and every member of council has heard every issue about 100 times," Mr. Snavely said.
Committee head William Stitt said Wednesday that private donors had made the money available for restoration of the 130-foot-tall tower.
"The Tower Project Committee proposes that City Council immediately seek bids to begin restoration of the tower this summer," said Mr. Stitt, a retired physician.
"Additional funds for the final painting will be provided to complete the restoration in the summer of 1999. The committee will also establish an endowment to provide for maintenance in perpetuity," said Mr. Stitt, who is expected to discuss the offer with the council Tuesday.
Mr. Snavely said it would cost $200,000 to restore the tower, but he insisted that the availability of restoration money in any amount really didn't matter.
"Everybody I talk to is in favor of tearing down the tower because they don't like it," the mayor said. "It's time for it to go." Last November, in a non-binding referendum, residents voted 1,447 to 983 to demolish the olive green tower in Oxford Memorial Park in this city about 35 miles northwest of Cincinnati that is best known as being the home of Miami University.
Mr. Snavely said many people who voted to save the tower last November have since changed their minds.
"Council has determined the tower is a hazard because (Miami University) students climb it and paint graffiti at the top," Mr. Snavely said. "Most people are willing to bet that many people who climb the tower are not sober and all it takes is for one person to fall down and the city is liable."
