The iconic Gilbert Water Tower Plaza is coming to life once again, just in time for the holidays. The Town of Gilbert and Willmeng celebrated the reopening of the updated Water Tower Plaza with a public event and the ceremonial Lighting of the Water Tower on Monday, December 16. This revitalized community space, located in the heart of the Heritage District, now boasts a range of new and improved amenities that will be enjoyed for years to come.
“This has been a labor of love for our team and for our council. We’ve modeled this plaza to be used the way that we have been trying to use it for the past 8 to 10 years,” said Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson at the ceremonial ribbon cutting event. “Our families needed a place to come and take pictures, a place for the kids to play in the splash pad and you needed restrooms and changing rooms and now our residents have a place with all of that.”
“Water Tower Plaza holds countless memories for Gilbert residents and has become the focal point here in the Heritage District,” said Willmeng CEO James Murphy, who is a longtime Gilbert resident. “We are honored to have partnered with the Town of Gilbert on this project to ensure this beloved landmark continues to be a source of community pride.”
Willmeng began work on the Water Tower Plaza renovation in January and wrapped up work on the 0.7-acre plaza in less than a year. J2 Engineering & Environmental Design led the design and Marc Taylor Inc. was the project management firm. The extensive renovation project involved significant underground infrastructure improvements as well as several new amenity spaces. The result is a beautifully redesigned plaza that honors the site’s history while providing modern amenities.
Among the new enhancements visitors can enjoy a shaded, water-efficient splash pad perfect for families looking to cool off on warm Arizona days, new and modern restroom facilities for the comfort and convenience of all visitors. The property also includes an expansive event lawn to accommodate a variety of community gatherings, celebrations and everyday use
The project also included the removal and salvage of the existing granite water ball feature. This element was carefully preserved and reintegrated into the new design to retain the plaza’s unique character.
Willmeng Construction’s commitment to sustainability was evident throughout the renovation process. The new splash pad is designed to minimize water consumption and native plants were selected for their drought tolerance, ensuring the plaza is both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
