A Landmark in Everyday Life
Set against the backdrop of the Snedigar Sportsplex, the Bashas' Water Tower isn’t tucked away—it’s part of daily life in Chandler.

It rises above baseball and soccer fields where kids play under the Arizona sun, where families gather on weekends, and where countless games, practices, and memories unfold. It’s in the background of photos, behind home runs, above the sidelines—quietly present through it all.

The Bashas' Water Tower is more than just a structure slated for demolition—it is a visible symbol of Chandler’s history, identity, and growth.

For decades, this tower has stood as a reminder of the legacy of Bashas', a family-founded business that helped shape Chandler from a small agricultural community into the thriving city it is today. It represents a time when local businesses and families built the foundation of our economy and community.

It is not currently protected as a historic structure—and importantly, there was no standalone City Council vote specifically to demolish it.

Instead, the land it sits on was recently approved through broader legislative actions, including:

Rezoning under Ordinance No. 5144 (Havenwood Manor)
Annexation and initial zoning under Ordinance No. 5145

These actions allow the property to be developed for residential use, and the existing structure was not separately designated for preservation during the approval process.

As a result, the tower now stands in a vulnerable position—where demolition is a likely outcome of redevelopment rather than a directly debated decision.

This isn't about stopping growth. As Chandler continues to grow and modernize, we must ask: what parts of our past are we choosing to carry forward? Can we grow without erasing everything that came before us? 

Why This Matters

• Preserving Local Identity
  The Bashas' Water Tower is one of the few remaining visual landmarks tied to Chandler’s industrial and family-business roots.
• Honoring Community Legacy
  The Bashas’ family has played a significant role in shaping Chandler’s history. Losing this landmark means losing a piece of that story.
• Missed Opportunity for Adaptive Reuse
  Across the country, historic water towers have been successfully transformed into Public art features
• Community gathering spaces
  Iconic visual landmarks that enhance redevelopment
• Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone
  Demolition is permanent. Preservation keeps options open for future generations.

Look at Gilbert: The Town of Gilbert has embraced its own historic water tower as a defining community feature.

Rather than demolish it, Gilbert:

• Preserved the structure as a visual landmark
• Integrated it into the identity of its downtown
• Used it as a backdrop for community events, photos, and local pride
• Strengthened its brand as a town that values both growth and heritage
• Today, the Gilbert water tower isn’t seen as outdated infrastructure—it’s seen as character. It contributes to the charm, recognizability, and economic appeal of the area.

Chandler has the same opportunity.

A Better Path Forward
We are not asking the city to stop progress—we are asking for a smarter, more thoughtful approach.

We urge the City of Chandler to:

1. Pause demolition plans for the Bashas' Water Tower
2. Conduct a historic and community impact review
3. Explore adaptive reuse options, such as incorporating the tower into future development, public art, or a designated landmark space

With creative planning, this structure can become a defining feature of Chandler’s future—not a forgotten part of its past.

Chandler’s growth should not come at the cost of erasing its identity. The Bashas' Water Tower is a rare and meaningful piece of our city’s story—one that deserves to be preserved, not demolished.

Join us in asking the City of Chandler to protect this landmark and work with the community to find a solution that honors both our history and our future.

Sign and share to help save the Bashas' Water Tower.