Bingham Memorial offers to take on Blackfoot towers

Bingham Memorial Hospital Marketing Director Mark Baker told the Blackfoot City Council Tuesday, the hospital may be willing to take on liability, and the upkeep and inspection cost of two unused city water towers. Mayor Paul Loomis said the two towers, one built in the 1920’s and the other in the 1950’s, have been out of use for 20 years. Both are off of the city’s water system and have had no safety inspections in that time. The city decided a $100,000 plan to raze the towers would be less expensive than new inspections and paint jobs. Bids for the demolition came in on that target. But in a final hearing Tuesday night, the public expressed nostalgic desire to keep the towers in the air. The city council indicated it would be willing to consider Bingham Memorial’s offer. The hospital was given 90 days to make a final determination on its offer and come up with legal agreements for city consideration.