Preservation group furious over demolished water tower in Mount Gilead
The recent demolition of an old water tower is creating division in one small town in central North Carolina.
The Town Commission of Mount Gilead voted unanimously to tear down the structure on May 1 and had it removed on June 27. Town leaders say the tower was going to cost more money to tear down the longer they waited, giving them few options.
A group of residents who were trying to save the historic structure thought they had received the town’s promise to give them six months to come up with alternatives. The historic preservation advocates said they had worked for months to come up with funds to save the tower.
But they say the town acted while the clock was still ticking when commissioners voted in May and residents had no advance knowledge that the board would be asked to decide at that time.
(Carolina Public Press, 7/23/18)