A casual visitor to North Park could easily mistake the 101-foot-tall, bullet-shaped structure near the Lodge pavilion as nothing more than a rusting, abandoned curiosity.

Built in 1937 during the Works Progress Administration, the cylindrical steel tank along North Ridge Road — officially known as the Allegheny County North Park Water Supply System Standpipe — once held a 300,000 gallon supply of water for the park.

But it was much more.

Before being shuttered by Allegheny County in the early 1970s because it was deteriorating and becoming dangerous, visitors could climb the 154-step staircase spiraling up the exterior of the 25-foot diameter tank to an observation deck.

The dome-covered observation platform is finished with a terrazzo floor and mosaics depicting constellations along with ornate metal medallions to show compass points.

From a vantage point 1,361 feet above sea level, on a clear day the view of the North Hills is a panorama, with features of Pittsburgh’s skyline such as the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland and the U.S. Steel Tower in Downtown as a backdrop.

During the past several years, park stakeholders have been trying to find ways to restore the tower and open access to the observation deck for public.

The effort will soon pay off.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on March 23 announced that a design contract has been awarded to transform the tank into an observation tower.

“This has long been on our list of projects because of its proximity to the lodge, one of the most used facilities in the North Park, and because of the view it provides,” Fitzgerald said.

The Allegheny County Parks Foundation has received a $500,000 grant from the Babcock Charitable Trust that earmarks a bulk of the money to restore the water tower, said CarenGlotfelty, the foundation’s chief executive officer.

“Money has been an issue with several previous attempts to restore the tower,” she said. “While not all of this grant is for the tower, most of it is. So I think we are finally on our way to seeing this project done.”

Glotfelty noted that the grant will require matching funds from the county.

The county issued a $108,660 design contract this month to Buchart Horn Architects for the project, Fitzgerald’s office said.

The design phase will likely take about six months with a final review of plans and costs available this fall. Work is expected to be completed by fall 2023, officials said.

Avid users of the park say the tower is an important asset that is worth preserving.

“North Park is filled with so many hidden gems that are decaying,” said Dominic Gambino, 70, of McCandless, a member of the North Park Council of Friends advocacy group and an avid mountain biker who uses the park regularly.

“But of all the features, the water tower is the most iconic because it can be seen from just about anywhere in the park. It’s a real focal point. But it’s such a shame that it’s just sitting there rusting away.”

Gambino said the view is spectacular and the ornate adornments that grace the deck “are worth walking up the steps to see.”

Allegheny County police are stationed in the park and regularly patrol the area around the water tower. In 2016 police issued a warning for people to stay off the tower after nine juveniles were charged with defiant trespass for bypassing a locked steel door to get onto the steps.

The structure will require an extensive structural assessment to assure it will be made safe for public access, Fitzgerald’s office said.

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