Huron water tower getting new paint job

HURON — The job first happened six years ago, but it's already time for a fresh coat of paint. During a recent public meeting, Huron officials learned the city's water tower off Ohio 2 near the U.S. 6 exit must receive a cosmetic facelift. That's because the structure's main sponsor changed its name last week: from Lake Erie Shores & Islands to Shores & Islands Ohio. It's believed the color scheme — debuting in 2016, it features a blue base with the circular top portion adorned in red and white hues to resemble a fishing bobber, which plays up Huron's waterfront location — will remain the same. The only major change involves updating its name. Larry Fletcher, the tourism bureau's president, provided some context: • The necessity: "We officially launched our new logo (last week) and, therefore, are switching out all locations that currently have the Lake Erie Shores & Islands logo." • The locations: "The Huron water tower, signs at (Ohio) 2 and U.S. 250, overpass signs on Lightener Road in Ottawa County and the stone Sandusky entryway pillars are all the highest-profile uses in the area, and we have plans to switch them all out as soon as possible." • The water tower's expense: "Cost will be between $50,000 and $70,000, depending on how much prep work is needed on the tower bowl. The stem that says 'Huron' will stay the same." • The reason: "We feel this is a very worthwhile investment as this high-visibility location represents a giant billboard in the sky to help launch and reinforce our new destination name and logo. Based on 2021 data, (the number of) average daily vehicles on this stretch of (Ohio) 2 is 25,416 vehicles. Considering that many vehicles have multiple passengers, this is over 10 million impressions annually." • The timeline: "We have pricing and are in the approval process now with Huron. Assuming that process goes smoothly, work will start as soon as the painting company tells us the weather is good for their process. Once they begin work it should take about a week." Making sense of the dollars and cents When work originally occurred to paint the Huron water tower in 2016, the paint job totaled $286,000, broken down with: • $150,000 came from Lake Erie Shores & Islands, which receives a primary share of its money through local bed taxes collected in Erie and Ottawa counties • $128,000 came from a state grant • $8,000 came from city funds This latest cost estimate to place the Shores & Islands Ohio name on it, totaling between $50,000 and $70,000, will be entirely paid for with bed tax money the bureau collects. Source: Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Huron finance department