Holiday travelers driving I-81 this week may notice a striking new feature on Staunton’s skyline. The City of Staunton’s new 1-million-gallon elevated water storage tank at Staunton Crossing has reached a major construction milestone with the lift of its 264-ton steel bowl.
Built at ground level over the past several months, the bowl was hoisted up the concrete pedestal using a system of jacks and cables. The top of the tank now sits approximately 240 feet above the ground. The lift marks a key milestone for Staunton Crossing, the city’s emerging 300-acre business park.
“This is a transformational moment for Staunton Crossing,” said Director of Economic Development Amanda DiMeo. “The new water tower signals to future businesses that the site is ready for investment.”
The tower’s exterior artwork blends the Blue Ridge Mountains with elements of Staunton’s historic skyline, symbolizing the city’s place as the “gem of the Shenandoah Valley.” The mountains frame everyday views in Staunton and along I-81. The design creates a welcoming landmark at the entrance to Staunton Crossing.
What Happens Next
With the bowl in place, crews will remove remaining crane equipment, complete final welds, and apply interior coatings. Exterior touch-ups will continue as the project moves toward completion early next summer. The new water main feeding the tower is already finished.
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The tower improves fire flow availability, reliability, and overall long-term finished water capacity. Its standout feature: a gravity-fed design. The overflow level matches the same elevation as the clearwell at the city’s Water Treatment Plant, on the opposite side of the city. This allows the tank to be filled without the use of pumps.
“The engineering that goes into a structure like this is remarkable,” said City Engineer Lyle Hartt. “Because the tower sits level with our clearwell, gravity does the work and an additional pressure zone in the city’s water distribution system is not needed. It’s efficient and helps ensure consistent service for decades.”
A Landmark for a Growing Business Park
The tower is funded through a $9 million Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) grant from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) that helps localities prepare project-ready sites. With the Crossing Way road extension complete and utilities underway, Staunton Crossing is nearing full readiness. Although only 10 percent of the site is currently developed, it already generates over $1 million in annual tax revenue.
“This tower is more than a piece of infrastructure,” said Mayor Michele Edwards. “It reflects the smart, steady growth we’re building for our community.”
