AURA decided to take action on the deteriorating icon of the City in 1998. The water tower was cut-off from the community by a tall, chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. The base was filled with wild vegetation and trash. Today, the park and unique plaza beneath the tower afford great views of the mountains where people gather for weddings, photographs, and picnics.
AURA temporarily took ownership of the site to be developed alongside the Water Tower Village. AURA also spent over $30,000 to have the water tower inspected to ensure proper structural integrity, redesigned, restored, and painted. In addition to the tower structure, accessibility to the tower and a pocket park were added for further community enjoyment. In 2006, AURA returned the water tower parcel to the City of Arvada to ensure preservation of this city icon.
