Thornbrook residents frustrated over potential placement of new water tower

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Thornbrook residents on Thursday flocked to Columbia City Hall to express their thoughts, feelings and questions over the recently proposed site for a new water tower next to the neighborhood and Beulah Ralph Elementary School.

"That's where a lot of carpools and kids come, so it's it's not an ideal place," Thornbrook resident Pam Socha said.

"I want to make sure if this project goes through, that there is enough protections to safeguard the students, the teachers and the principal at Beulah Ralph as well as the homeowners in the surrounding area," said John Conway, another homeowner in the Thornbrooke neighborhood.

The new water tower was one of several projects included in a 2018 bond issue passed by Columbia voters.

The area has also faced many water issues over the years including water advisories and low water pressure. The Thornbrook subdivision experienced three water boil advisories in the span of two weeks in November 2023, according to previous reporting. Concerns about water usage in the area have persisted.

Many residents have expressed concerns that the water tower could lower property value in the neighborhood, but Thornbrook homeowner Jeanne Locklear doesn't think the tower is threat.

"You have to assess what would be a negative impact on property values, to have really good water pressure and a water tower," Locklear said. "Or no water tower, and then you have some water pressure and distribution issues?"

The city originally identified land near two Columbia schools as possible locations for the new water tower in October - John Warner Middle School and Beulah Ralph Elementary School.

However, at Thursday night's open house meeting the city only brought the plans for the Beulah Ralph location.

"This is the optimal location at this time, so this is the one we're presenting. This is the one we want to talk about and move forward," said Matt Nestor, a spokesperson for the City of Columbia Utilities.

Those in attendance also frustrated by the structure of the night's meeting.

"It's not what anybody thought it'd be. We thought we would come in and sit down and hear people present and talk," Socha said.

Julie Ryan, Thornbrook homeowner and co-founder of the COMO Safe Water Coalition, commented on the size of the crowd at the meeting.

"Sometimes this type of format can be a little bit difficult for people when we do have a good crowd like tonight to have staff be able to accurately answer everybody's questions," Ryan said.

Nestor tells ABC 17 the plans for the water tower are still in the early stages and there's a lot more that needs to take place to move forward in the process.

"There will probably be more public discussions. Then, it would have to be taken to council for a public hearing and then with feedback from council we will know whether or not we can move forward," Nestor said.

Ryan wants the city to be more open with residents and provide more information about proposed plans during their next steps.

"I think the biggest concern is that we just don't have faith based on city's past efforts to know that this is the right path and that they have done their due diligence," Ryan said.

If things fall into place for city utilities, it hopes to break ground on the new water tower in spring or summer of 2026.