“Paint helps against corrosion.” Consider that simple statement as we gaze upon the La Grange Water Tower.
La Grange Water Tower stands tall. It is a testament to both necessity and the occasional challenges of municipal projects. The village of La Grange discovered some paint job issues here.
Let’s rewind to 2021. The Village Board faced a decision regarding who would repaint this very water tower. The Chicago area’s painters union cautioned against hiring an out-of-state firm. They suggested using a local company for the work on this La Grange Water Tower.
Despite the union’s warning, the board approved Seven Brothers Painting of Michigan. The vote was 4-1. Fast forward a year and an engineer’s inspection revealed a problem. The interior painting was flawed.
The union’s director of organizing, Alfredo Barraza, raised concerns. He said the failing paint would worsen over time. It could compromise the integrity of the drinking water held within the La Grange Water Tower. Paint protects against corrosion. This paint was failing to do so.
Rick Colby, the village’s public works director, acknowledged the issue. The tower job was still under warranty. The company would fix the problem at no extra cost to La Grange. Sam Vushaj, one of Seven Brothers’ owners, confirmed they would redo the work. They were simply waiting for the village’s go-ahead.
Back in 2021, Seven Brothers’ bid was the lowest at $568,000. This raised eyebrows. Trustee Lou Gale argued for choosing the next highest bidder. It was an Illinois company. He believed in supporting in-state firms.
This La Grange Water Tower has stood here for roughly 30 years. Before this controversial job, it was last painted in 2004. The flawed work wasn’t immediately impacting water quality. However, it highlighted the importance of qualified contractors. It also underscored the value of local expertise.
So, as you stand before the La Grange Water Tower, remember this story. It’s more than just a water tower. It’s a reminder of the complexities and considerations. Local governance and infrastructure projects are hard.