The residents of Osseo didn't just hold a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony when water and electrical systems arrived in the village a century ago. They held an "Osseo Light and Water Carnival."
The water tower they lauded then, perched 100 feet high, still stands downtown. It's no longer in use, but it inspires enough pride to be emblazoned on the city logo. And now the tower has been nominated for a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Denis Gardner of the State Historic Preservation Office said it will likely be listed in the first half of 2017, assuming it receives the needed approvals. That will open the door to a number of grant opportunities to keep it in prime shape as a landmark.
The nomination comes about three years after the city floated the idea of tearing it down after learning that restoring it to function as a water tower would cost $300,000 to $500,000.
The potential demolition spurred local resident Kathleen Gette into action. She successfully sought state funds to study the water tower and nominate it for listing on the register.
"There isn't one other thing about Osseo that captures Osseo's identity — a physical structure or building or anything — other than the tower," said Gette, who launched a Facebook page that has garnered more than 2,100 supporters.
City Administrator Riley Grams said he expects the city will seek a grant this year to assess precisely what maintenance the tower needs and what that might cost.
"We're just wanting to keep it as an icon of the city," Grams said. "And just really keep it standing."
