SHELBY — Fresh red and gray paint will soon be applied to the water tower along Shelby’s Mickey Road.
Crews are currently applying an overcoat layer of paint before the old coating fails, At-Large Councilman Steve McLaughlin reported Monday evening to council.
McLaughlin said the tower was last painted in 2017. It will maintain its classic red and gray colors and lettering, along with the Shelby Whippet mascot, he said.
John Ensman, the city’s director of utilities, said repainting the tower is part of an anticipated and scheduled maintenance process.
City water towers along both Mickey and Vernon roads entered into a 10-year maintenance program nine years ago. The program is set to expire next year.
Ensman said the program encompasses work such as interior and exterior painting, annual inspections and engineering and inspection services, among other work.
“The program (contract cost) for both towers (together) is approximately $1,135,000 over this 10-year program,” McLaughlin said Monday.
The repainting of the tower marks one of several coming improvements to Mickey Road over the next several years. A separate project, the Mickey Road reconstruction project is estimated to begin in the fall of 2027, bringing major upgrades to the frequently traveled roadway.
It will include the installation of storm sewers, underdrains, curbs, gutters, drive apron and new pavement.
McLaughlin said last year that the project’s estimated cost is $3,810,000.
Twenty percent of the rebuild, $762,000, will be paid by the city. Remaining costs, slightly more than $3 million, will be paid by federal highway funds — awarded to the city by the Richland County Regional Planning Commission.
The Mickey Road rebuild is estimated to conclude during the summer of 2028, Shelby Project Coordinator Joe Gies previously told Richland Source.
In other action Monday, City Council:
— passed a resolution to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation road salt contracts awarded in 2025.
