Title/Name/Summary
Elevated Tank Design - Discussion
History
The village last repainted the elevated water tanks 20 years ago. At that time, the paint scheme repeated the same white ball over green stem pattern that had been on village water towers for over 50 years. The design was meant to resemble a golf ball on a tee as a result of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce designating Orland Park the “Golf Center of the World”. The reasoning being there were 1089 holes of golf within a 15 mile radius.
Present day Orland Park no longer embraces this title and in 2016 as part of the branding and wayfinding process, the village chose a new symbol referred to as “the gemstone” or “jewel of the prairie”. In the last two years, the gemstone has become a widely recognized symbol for the village and has been integrated throughout the community. The village owns seven elevated tanks, each reaching the end of their protective coatings life span thus providing the opportunity to update the color scheme and to further integrate the village’s new symbol.
Public Works together with the Development Services Department has been working with Strand and Associates of Joliet, Illinois to develop a new look for the elevated tanks. The following criteria were used when creating new design options: aesthetically pleasing, progressive, cost effective and easily identifiable within the community. Other considerations included choosing colors that would least influence the tanks internal temperature and to help conceal dirt and mold that develop underneath the ball of the tank. After numerous renderings, choices were narrowed down.
On September 17th, staff presented several options for tank designs with four exhibits for the Public Works Committee to critique. The committee provided staff with the following direction: paint schemes that will blend the base of the tanks in with surrounding landscaping, to incorporate more colors and to keep the overall design scheme mostly conservative compared to some mural designs that were discussed. Utilizing the input from the committee, staff presented additional exhibits for the consideration to the committee on October 15th.
Option A and B are the simplest and most cost effective designs but will not mask the dirt and mold that will accumulate on the underside of the tank ball. The committee’s preference is shown in option J. The design is generally influenced by the brick planters and brick monuments seen along the LaGrange Road corridor. The grasses reflect the Villages commitment to Open Lands and the surrounding natural areas and the trees at the base are intended to blend the tank in with the surrounding landscaping when observed at grade level.
The first elevated tank to receive the updated look will be Tank #5, located at Harlem Avenue and Wheeler Drive. In addition to recoating, other work to be completed as part of the same project includes; a corral to be added to the top, for safety and antennas; interior remodeling to create a conditioned space for various electronic equipment inside the lower portion; and generator provisions to be added to minimize the impacts of power failures.
Staff is requesting direction by the Board regarding the painting design for Tank #5 in order to proceed with preparing bid documents and specifications for the tank rehabilitation.
Financial Impact
Funds have been budgeted in the Water Fund (account #031-6002-443900) for this project.