A once-derelict water tower could become a beacon of hope and light overlooking the city core.

Local architect Patrick Danielson has a vision for the Pearl Street water tower, which maintains part of its historic façade, with a very modern twist.

Danielson’s vision, which he calls Water Falls, includes a light-filled atrium and a winding, airy staircase that wraps itself around the tower’s support beams. It is somewhat reminiscent of the dome of the Reichstag (the house of parliament) in Berlin.

Danielson said he sees a building that is open and available to all. He has no specific use in mind for the water tower, but said, “it’s meant for a public function of some sort, but the exact public function is left a little open-ended because it depends on the needs of the developer.” Danielson did mention he thought the location would be ideal for a gallery or gathering place of some sort.

Danielson said he was looking for an elegant way to adapt the existing structure “and repurpose it in a way that could facilitate a public use.”

“There’s been an ongoing debate on how to revitalize the downtown core and there are several buildings intended to find a new home and I think a few of those could work – a gallery for instance, would be possible; or even some sort of public venue for functions that are convention-related; space for people to get food and socialize,” he pondered.

Danielson even said some city hall offices could make use of the space; however, he admits parking is a problem, since there will not be many spaces on the existing footprint.

As he explains, Water Falls is not just clever design. It is also a more environmentally friendly alternative to building new.

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