LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The historic Louisville Water Tower is ready to welcome visitors back, after finishing a years-long restoration project.
The renovated Water Tower and original pumping station is reopening after four years, and Louisville Water leaders are inviting people to see the progress and learn how water goes from the Ohio River to the tap.
The historic Louisville Water Tower on River Road in Louisville, Ky. is reopening after a four year, $6 million renovation, which included refurbishing elaborate statues that have been on the tower for decades. (WDRB Image) March 8, 2024
The 185 foot tall tower is no longer used for water production, but it is a historic landmark on River Road near downtown. Renovations cost more than $6 million. Most of the updates focused on the exterior of the tower and pumping station to better preserve the story of Louisville Water.
The utility closed the tower doors during COVID, and renovations kept the buildings closed to the public until now.
Spokeswoman Kelley Dearing Smith said they're ready to welcome wedding parties, school field trips and scouting groups back to see the updates and a piece of history.
"I don't want people to take for granted safe, high quality drinking water that comes out of your faucet," she said. "Louisville is so lucky to have one of the highest quality drinking water entities in the United States, and it's important you know the story of your drinking water."
The grand reopening of the tower and WaterWorks Museum is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The historic site offers a 2,200-square-foot Grand Hall with elaborate, original architectural features throughout, including a brass, spiral staircase under 50-foot ceilings with ornate windows and dramatic views of the Ohio River.
The opening also means Louisville Water is ready to be used as a wedding venue or as a space for any event. For information on renting the facility, click here.
At the water works all the windows of the pumping station were blown out and the 160 foot tall standpipe was toppled.
When the water tower was destroyed, workers couldn’t reach it due to flooding. The day after the storm the river level at McAlpine Lower was 63.3 feet, more than eight feet above flood stage.
Louisville had only about 6 days’ worth of water stored in the city reservoir.
Photographs courtesy of Louisville Water Company.
IMAGES | Louisville Water Tower photos show progress of major renovation
Historic statues were reinstalled after cleaning at Louisville Water Tower on Feb. 13, 2024.
Historic statues were reinstalled after cleaning at Louisville Water Tower on Feb. 13, 2024.
Historic statues were reinstalled after cleaning at Louisville Water Tower on Feb. 13, 2024.
Scaffolding surrounded the historic Louisville Water Tower building on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, as painting was taking place. It's part of a $6 million renovation.
Scaffolding surrounded the historic Louisville Water Tower building on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, as painting was taking place. It's part of a $6 million renovation.
Scaffolding surrounded the historic Louisville Water Tower building on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, as painting was taking place. It's part of a $6 million renovation.
Scaffolding surrounded the historic Louisville Water Tower building on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, as painting was taking place. It's part of a $6 million renovation.
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2023, shows the interior of the Louisville Water pumping station inside the Louisville Water Tower at 3005 River Road in Louisville, Ky. (WDRB/Dominik Fuhrmann)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2023, shows the pumping station inside the Louisville Water Tower off River Road in Louisville, Ky., with WDRB photographer Dominik Fuhrmann in the foreground. (WDRB/Darby Beane via Twitter)
The Louisville Water Co. tower as seen from the Ohio River on Sept. 24, 2022.
- Chris Otts, WDRB
The Louisville Water tower as seen from the Ohio River on Sept. 24, 2022.
- Chris Otts, WDRB
A $6 million renovation is underway at the Louisville Water Tower on River Road, according to the Louisville Water Company. (WDRB Image) July 11, 2022
A $6 million renovation is underway at the Louisville Water Tower on River Road, according to the Louisville Water Company. (WDRB Image) July 11, 2022
A $6 million renovation is underway at the Louisville Water Tower on River Road, according to the Louisville Water Company. (WDRB Image) July 11, 2022
A $6 million renovation is underway at the Louisville Water Tower on River Road, according to the Louisville Water Company. (WDRB Image) July 11, 2022
Hope Mills Water Tower in Louisville's Smoketown neighborhood. Nov. 2, 2021
At the water works all the windows of the pumping station were blown out and the 160 foot tall standpipe was toppled.
When the water tower was destroyed, workers couldn’t reach it due to flooding. The day after the storm the river level at McAlpine Lower was 63.3 feet, more than eight feet above flood stage.
Louisville had only about 6 days’ worth of water stored in the city reservoir.
Photographs courtesy of Louisville Water Company.
Related stories:Â
- Historic statues return to the Louisville Water Tower after more than 3 years
- From the river to your home | A behind-the-scenes look at Louisville Water
- $6 million renovation underway at Louisville Water Tower on River Road
- Louisville Water Company completes renovations to pumping station
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
