Demo of water tanks

The Utilities Department is overseeing a $518,000 project to demolish two obsolete elevated water tanks on the beachside. Built in 1958, the tower at 150 Thames Ave. is 166 feet tall, and the tower at 126 University Ave., adjacent to Fire Station No. 3, is 173 feet tall and 56 years old. Both steel tanks were decommissioned in the early 2000s when the city's drinking water system was upgraded, and the tanks were no longer needed to maintain adequate system pressure. Due to their location, the tanks are exposed to continuous salt spray and have significant corrosion. It will take about two to three weeks for Tampa-based Milburn Southeast LLC to dismantle each tank. Work will be done using a large crane to remove sections of each tower piece by piece.