Hermiston’s water tower could get a brand new look in the coming months.
The Hermiston City Council expressed interest Monday night in painting the city’s word mark, Hermiston: You Can GROW Here, on the south side of the water tower. But fear not – if the council approves the new paint job, it would only affect the south side. The iconic watermelon image would remain on the north side of the tower.
That pleased Councilor Frank Harkenrider, who said during the meeting that he’s spent years promoting Hermiston’s watermelons and didn’t want to see the melon slice disappear. Fellow Councilor Doug Primmer agreed.
“We want to make sure we keep the watermelon as part of it,” he said. “Just like Walla Walla is known for the onion, Hermiston is known for the watermelon.”
The water tower paint job discussion was part of a work session that focused on Hermiston’s new brand image that was debuted last summer during the Umatilla County Fair.
The word mark was the result of feedback the Hermiston Futures Task Force heard that pointed out the need for the city to establish a “community identity.” A sub-group to the task force met throughout 2012 and early 2013 to examine Hermiston’s identity and to develop options for the future. Working with Limelight Design, the task force came up with Hermiston: You Can GROW Here.
Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said the city’s continuing population growth, coupled with its strong agriculture ties and its desire to attract new businesses was the impetus for creating the new community identity.
“In trying to figure out how to blend all those things together, the concept came back to developing a word mark that centered around growth,” Morgan said.
The word ‘grow’ is not a new one for the water tower. At one time, the city’s water tower had the words, ‘Watch Hermiston Grow.’ But Morgan said that phrase was not very inclusive. Instead, it seemed to imply that the city was inviting visitors to “watch us grow,” but not be a part of the growth.
“We want to say that if you move your business here, you can grow here, too,” Morgan said.
The cost of painting half of the water tower has been estimated at $20,000. To re-paint the entire water tower, including re-painting the watermelon on the north side, was estimated at $46,000. A consultant recently informed the city that the current paint job should last another 15-20 years.
Councilor John Kirwan said he was in favor of the re-painting just the south side. Primmer wasn’t as enthusiastic.
“To spend $20,000 on a logo – I’m not thrilled with it,” he said. Council President Rod Hardin said the city would be hard pressed to get more bang for its buck.
“What other advertising can you get for $20,000 that has that kind of reach,” he said. Kirwan jokingly suggested that city administration officials should all get a tattoo of the word mark.
The council is expected to take up the issue again at its next council meeting.
