 The future of Brainerd's historic water tower is in question after Stucco has begun falling off the tower. The City Council met tonight to decide whether the water tower should continue to be repaired and refurbished or if it should be destroyed. A reporter Rachel Johnson has the story. When faced with a dilemma or a problem, the city of Brainerd, the residents come together and help out. The Brainerd City Council met Monday night at 7 30 p.m. to discuss the future of the historic water tower in downtown Brainerd. Recently, Stucco has begun flaking and falling off the tower, which is listed on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places. The big topic is the water tower, both literally and however you look at it. It's the biggest topic we have tonight, so I've been having some issues with the Stucco coming down again and so now we have to revisit and see where we're going to go from here. The tower, which is almost 100 years old, underwent a series of restorative chipping projects in 2014. The city discussed different plans of action, which included adding a roof on the existing structure, adding a concrete dome replica to the tower, repeating the restorative projects that were done four years ago or demolishing it altogether. The option that we really want to avoid if at all possible is demolition. There are a couple of rehabilitation repair options that are available, but the price tag on them is quite high, talking about two and a half million dollars for those. So, you know, I think if we can find a way to get the money and to get a plan to be able to preserve the water tower, that would be the best of all worlds. The meeting had many more people in attendance than usual. The audience consisted of many community members who attended in order to voice their opinion to save the water tower. It's worth saving because it's a brainer icon and every town in Minnesota has its own thing and yet the town when you come in and brainer has to have the water tower. So, I do want to see it go. At Monday's meeting, the City Council looked to establish a sense of direction for the future of the tower, as well as generate a timeline for when the changes will occur. I want to see it go. There's any way at all of saving it. Once it's gone, you can't bring it back. Reporting from Brainerd, Rachel Johnson, Lakeland News. The historic water tower was completed in 1922 and was retired from use in 1959. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.