Lafayette Reservoir Tower Gets Seismic Makeover | Oakland News

Crews began dismantling the top 40 feet of the historic Lafayette Reservoir tower this past Friday, initiating a seismic upgrade that will permanently reshape this East Bay landmark—once towering since the late 1920s. Built too tall for the reservoir’s size, the aging structure poses a critical risk: in a major quake, it could collapse and unleash a flood threatening Lafayette, Walnut Creek, a K-8 school, the police station, and the BART station. While preservationists mourn losing a piece of local history tied to Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight, officials stress the lifesaving necessity. Salvaged artifacts, including a 1920s window, and new renderings of the shortened tower show how safety and heritage can coexist. The project is on track to finish by October 2026—changing the skyline, but protecting the community. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2fd88f455b2582f7