After nearly three years of planning, designing and discussions, the major renovations and restorations to the historic Weehawken Water Tower on Park Avenue are beginning to take shape.
In fact, according to the architect in charge of the project, former Weehawken resident Eric Holtermann, the first phase of the project is completed and the second phase is ready to begin shortly.
“The first phase was the cleanup of the interior,” Holtermann said. “Of course, there was the problem of the pigeons, and we’ve taken care of that. But we’ve cut a hole in the water tank and we’re now able to step inside. The wood floors have all been repaired and stabilized. We’ve framed a new opening where the future elevator and fire stairs will go.”
The second phase of the project will be the restoration of the exterior. The third phase will be the beautification of the plaza surrounding the Tower and the Park Avenue neighborhood, which includes an urban garden next door. The fourth and final phase will be the rehabilitation of the interior in order to give the Tower practical use.
In order to keep Weehawken residents informed about the Water Tower’s restoration and the plans to turn the Tower into a useful piece of the Park Avenue landscape, the Weehawken Environment Committee is holding a fact-finding seminar, to be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Senior Nutritional Center on Highwood Avenue, beginning at 8 p.m.
All residents are invited to attend. There is no cost.
Holtermann and the landscaping architect Kim Mathews will be the featured speakers that night.
“We’re going to talk about the progress we’ve made and what we envision for the Tower, how it will be used,” Holtermann said. “We’ll go over the next phases and steps.”
Holtermann said that a video presentation will show residents just what has been done inside the Tower. Many plans and drawings will also be displayed, with artist’s renderings of what might take place at the site.
WEC representative Sarah Crew said that it was important to give the residents a chance to be informed about the Tower.
“We should be aware of what’s going on,” Crew said. “It’s our historical landmark, our centerpiece. I think a lot of the attention has gone to the waterfront, but Park Avenue and the Water Tower are in our backyards. It’s time to revitalize Park Avenue and the Tower is the cornerstone of that revitalization. This way, having Eric and Kim come to speak gives us a chance to know exactly what’s going on.”
Holtermann said that the inside of the Tower is in “good shape,” so the chance to turn the inside of the Tower into a “technical, mechanical space or office space,” is very possible.
“The outside may have been weathered, but the inside is very strong,” Holtermann said. “The walls of the inside are so thick and well constructed.”
Holtermann said that the second phase – the restoration of the exterior is set to begin within the next few months. “It will begin shortly and continue through the spring and the summer,” Holtermann said. “The first phase was to stabilize everything and insure that there was no more water coming in and no more pigeons coming in. But it’s really exciting to see the exterior go forward. I’m glad we’re showing the video of the interior, because it really can’t be described. But what we’ve done so far has been very rewarding. People will see a major difference soon.”
Added Holtermann, “People have seen all the work that’s gone on and are wondering when things are going to happen. Well, it’s going to happen very shortly.”
Holtermann credited the tireless work of Alane Finnerty, the chairperson of the Weehawken Water Tower Restoration Committee, for seeing the project come to fruition.
“She’s been a great, driving force,” Holtermann said.