The Columbia School Board notified the city of Columbia that it is no longer considering selling land at Beulah Ralph Elementary School to build a new water tower. The elementary school sits right next to a nearby neighborhood, Thornbrook Subdivision.

CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark confirmed the board decided against taking any action in regard to the water tower.

"There was discussion, but the board has decided not to discuss further or consider any official action on the matter," Baumstark said.

CPS notified the city's Chief Operations Officer last week that the board would not be moving forward in the discussion.

The city has been attempting to find a location for the proposed tower over the last several years. Funding for the water tower project was secured in 2018 according to Jason West, the city's communication supervisor for the Utility Department.

"The initial funding that we have right now which is the 3.4 you were talking about earlier, that was approved back in 2018," West said.

West says because of the delay the cost of the project has more than tripled to 10 to 12 million dollars.

"The biggest reason why what it would cost back then is so much less than what it is now.. the price of the supplies... knowing that type of thing," West said. "Because of inflation, and changing, and the marketplace... that's why there will be more funds that are needed."

The tower would be constructed to increase water pressure in southwest Columbia, where residents have endured several boil water advisories .

West says the city was interested in the Beulah property due to its elevation.

CPS made the decision against the tower based on an overwhelming number of public comments, opinions and suggestions to not sign off on the project.

MU law professor, Ryan Vacca, lives in the Thornbrook subdivision and has a child that attends Beulah Ralph Elementary School. After hearing about the proposed tower, Vacca and his wife began organizing a group in opposition.

"We thought this was a bad idea so we organized... reached out to a bunch of neighbors, community members to see if there was interest in taking more steps to oppose it," Vacca said.

The couple distributed the flyer to those in the surrounding community in an effort to spread the word. The flyer lists details for an opposition planning meeting that the group held at the end of January.

Vacca said their concerns centered around the negative affect the water tower will have on nearby property values and safety of children who attend the elementary school.

"Our major concern was building it on the school grounds where the space that was proposed... it's used by kids in the school, it's used by neighbors and kids within the neighborhood and that would just be taken away," Vacca said.

Members of the group also gave several public comments at last Monday's Columbia City Council meeting.

The city has not made a decision on how they will move forward with the project but are continuing to look into other properties.