Downtown water tower to get face lift

The Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously at their Sept. 15 meeting to give the water tower, located in Railroad Park, a face lift.

Public Works Director Don Marsh told the Council, "the historic downtown water tower is not merely a relic of the past, but a living testament to the town's history and resilience."

Designated a California Historical Landmark in 1978, it is a symbol of the past and the embodiment of the spirit of Tehachapi.

Recognizing that the water tower is in need of repainting and cleaning, Marsh proposed the Tehachapi signs be removed to be refurbished. During that time, the entire tower structure will be pressure washed and painted. This project will be started during the month of October and will take three to four weeks to complete.

The city had budgeted $45,000 in 2023/24 for the completion of the project and used a new-to-the-city Cooperative Purchasing Service for the bidding process. Sourcewell (formerly known as National Joint Powers Alliance) is a government agency and service cooperative that assists with the solicitations and bid award process with pre-set prices and specifications for general construction services. These purchasing agreements are authorized by the California Government code and save city staff time and money by eliminating the formal proposal and bidding period. Horizons Construction presented a bid of $42,727.

The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. They are currently meeting at the Police Department Community Room, 220 W. C St.