After a report revealed that Moser Tower needs up to $3.5 million in repairs, the city is left wondering what to do with it.
A recommendation for council is in the hands of the Riverwalk Commission, who began discussing the issue at their last meeting.
Options include repairing just the tower, repairing the tower and enclosing the lower section to prevent future issues, maintaining the tower and decommissioning it when it’s no longer usable, or decommissioning it immediately, which would be the cheapest course of action.
“In my mind, I keep coming back to what’s the fiscally responsible thing to do?” said Riverwalk Commissioner John Joseph. “The city has limited funds, is that where we want to spend it? What’s the opportunity cost?”
Some argue the cost is worth it, as the tower and the carillon it houses have become a landmark of the city.
“When was the last time you saw a news article where they didn’t have the carillon in the foreground of the Riverwalk in the background as an image of what Naperville is?” said Geoff Roehll, Chairman of the Riverwalk Commission.
The tower was built in 2000 and completed in 2007. The cost of the total structure was $7.1 million, with the city kicking in $1.5 million of that.
The Riverwalk Commission will make its decision by the end of summer, after which City Council will have the final say.
Naperville News 17’s Blane Erwin reports.
