Brawley’s historic water tower to be officially demolished after over a century

BRAWLEY, CA — The decommissioned Hinojosa Park water tower, a longstanding landmark in Brawley, is one step closer to demolition following action by the City Council on Tuesday, August 6. The decision aligns with a state mandate requiring the removal of the aging structure, which has been in the works for the past two years.

Rom Medina, Brawley’s Public Works Director, presented a Historic Built Environment Assessment study to the City Council, a necessary step in the ongoing efforts to bring down the 150-foot tower. “The grant agreement that was structured with [the] state [Department of] Water Resources and the city of Brawley — those are the requirements. The tower has to come down to ‘bare native soil,’” Medina explained during the meeting.

The demolition is being funded by a $200,000 grant awarded to the city in 2022 from the California Department of Water Resources. The funds, secured by then-state Senator Ben Hueso, cover the costs for both the required California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) study and the demolition itself.

South Environmental, the firm tasked with the historical assessment, determined that the tower and surrounding park did not meet the criteria for historical significance at the state or federal level. Sarah Corder, the principal architectural historian for the project, presented the findings via Zoom during the council meeting. “The properties within the project site and all associated buildings, structures, and features were found not eligible under all federal and state designation criteria due to a lack of significant historical associations and architectural merit,” Corder’s report stated.

The City Council voted 3-1 to accept the environmental report and proceed with the tower’s removal, with council member Gil Rebollar casting the sole dissenting vote. Council member Luke Hamby was absent from the meeting.

Council member Gil Rebollar also acknowledged the tower’s importance but highlighted the critical safety concerns. “There are some serious structural and safety concerns with that tower. It’s historic, so that means it hasn’t been touched or modified since it was put there in 1935, so you have almost 100-year-old metal that is corroding and deteriorating. For safety, it does need to be removed,” Rebollar stated. He further explained the risks involved, saying, “And also, it’s a liability because if something happens like an earthquake or just that metal deteriorating over time, the fact that we know it’s in that condition puts us at risk.”

Rebollar expressed sadness over the situation, recalling, “It’s sad. A couple of years ago, when we got the grant, it was sort of like a check presentation and it was celebratory. I don’t necessarily agree with that. This is a loss for the community, and we should treat it as such.”

As the city moves forward with the demolition, Rebollar assured residents that efforts would be made to honor the tower’s legacy. “I have spoken with the mayor, and we are committed to preserving what we can, whether it be in a stage or an amenity that reflects what was there before,” he told 760 News.

Despite the city’s decision, the move to demolish the tower has stirred mixed feelings among residents and city officials. Mayor Ramon Castro reflected on the emotional significance of the water tower, saying, “Oh yeah, you know it means a lot to me. I remember being a kid and coming back from Mexicali and you know we would wanna come home and you would know we were almost home when we saw the water tower.” However, he emphasized the necessity of the demolition, adding, “But unfortunately, it’s not safe, and the safety of the community outweighs any personal emotions.”

While the fate of the Hinojosa Park water tower is sealed, the discussion around its cultural significance and the safety concerns it poses highlight the complexities cities face when balancing heritage and public safety. Mayor Castro mentioned that a timeline for the demolition has not yet been set. The removal of the tower, once completed, will mark the end of an era for this Brawley landmark, making way for new opportunities in the community.