Water tower on University of Alabama campus rising on Campus Drive West

A water tower is rising in Tuscaloosa on Campus Drive West at the intersection with Riverside Drive at the University of Alabama.

Early drawings made the tank appear to be shaped like a football, but the actual tank is more of a traditional sphere, within viewing distance of fans outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of the Crimson Tide football team.

The project's primary funding is coming from the City of Tuscaloosa to the tune of at least $6.6 million, with the University of Alabama kicking in an addition $650,000. Recent reports from the city have indicated the final cost might be more along the lines of $11 million because of increases in construction costs.

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The water tower, according to an artist's rendering presented by Matt Fajack, UA vice-president for financial affairs, at a 2020 Tuscaloosa City Council meeting, depicted the tower painted white with the university's script "A" logo on the side. Though the tank is not shaped exactly like a football, the paint scheme will give Bama football fans a visual reminder of the popular Alabama football road uniforms.

After the initial public announcement, the internet exploded with jokes about the tower, which appeared in the artist's renderings to have a shape similar to that of a football. Given its closeness to Bryant-Denny Stadium, some people on social media took the misunderstanding seriously. When complete, the 230-foot tall, 1 million gallon capacity tower will be visible from many points across the city; however, it will be shaped like a traditional water tower. 

It will be a while before the tower is complete and begins supplying water from the area between Queen City Avenue and the University of Alabama campus. Its projected completion date is summer of 2022. Presently, construction workers are raising the steel panels that form the side walls of the tank.