Belton Standpipe Dedication Rescheduled

Belton Standpipe Dedication Rescheduled

Feb. 3, 2020
UPDATE
The dedication ceremony for the Belton Standpipe will be rescheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, to allow for better weather conditions. This is the second time that the threat of inclement weather has caused the postponement of the dedication. The weather forecast for Wednesday, Feb. 5, includes rainy, windy and cold weather conditions.


Thank you for your patience as we work to make this ceremony comfortable for all participants.

Jan. 27, 2020
A public dedication ceremony to commemorate as a Local Landmark the Belton Standpipe, 306 W. Avenue I, is scheduled on the grounds at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The Belton City Council has recognized the Standpipe as a significant part of the City’s history by awarding it the inaugural Local Landmark designation.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Standpipe represents the ingenuity and forward thinking of Beltonians. The tower was built in 1914 during a growth period when city leaders were working to modernize utility services. Concrete standpipes were once fairly common, but steel water towers later replaced most of them, including in Belton on the same site. The steel tower was demolished in May 2015. The Standpipe is a rare surviving example of its type.

“We’re fortunate to have such a rich history and culture here in Belton,” City Manager Sam Listi said. “The Local Landmark designation helps bring attention to community treasures, like the Standpipe, and reminds us of the importance of preserving the past as we plan for the future.”

Plans are under way to restore the Standpipe site and add park amenities at the location. The City Council has identified renovations at the Standpipe as a priority in its Strategic Plan. Development plans for the park are anticipated in 2021, with construction of a park tentatively scheduled for 2022.

The City plans to seek grant funding to support Standpipe preservation efforts, which would include two phases. The first phase would removing loose plaster and ventilating the tower. The second phase would re-plaster, paint and add a corrosion inhibitor.

“Several state and federal grants are available for preservation and park development,” Listi said. “We believe this project will be competitive for grant funding.”

The recognition ceremony will mark the beginning of a new era for the Standpipe. Again, the public is welcome to celebrate Belton’s history at the dedication at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
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