Refurbishing 'The Fountain'

Take a Virtual Tour
of the
SouthBank RiverWalk
HERE

Refurbishing the Fountain.

The City of Jacksonville, recently passed an issue that sets aside
some money for upgrading some of our parks, as well as aquiring new ones.
A large piece of this, approximately $1,000,000.00 is for the Fountain.
Visit the City's Preservation Project Pages.
City of Jacksonville's Preservation Project

Proposed by Mayor John Delaney, January 1999

Press release - March 14, 2001

Project to renovate Friendship Fountain was awarded to the low bidder,
A. C. General, Inc. in the amount of $1,399,000. Official notice to
proceed was issued on Friday, March 9, 2001 at the preconstruction
conference.

Actual work began today when the fountain was shut down by Parks &
Recreation. This shut down was coordinated with both PRE and Special
Events. The fountain will remain shut down until all integral work is
completed. Contractor has 160 days to complete the project.
Completion date is August 16, 2001.

Work to be performed includes the following:

Base Bid: Renovation of the fountain pool area to include sealing and
painting the pool surface and replacement of fountain lights.
Replacement of electrical switchgear and controls in the pump house.
Refinish, gasket, and paint existing piping to remain. New filtered
water piping to be provided between pump house and fountain. The
existing filter return water piping will be removed and all openings
into the fountain to be sealed off. Plaza drains to be replace with
new, larger area drains and enlarged storm drains. Pump P -3 right
angle gear box to be repaired and all pumps to be serviced.

Alternate No. 1: Additional exterior fountain lighting. Six each
with colored flood lights, and program controllers.

Alternate No. 3: Remove and replace five existing light bollards
around plaza.

Alternate No. 6: Add brick pavers around the perimeter of the
fountain and column tile on six light columns.

The first stage is starting on Sunday, 31 October 1999.
During an approximate 2 week period, the Fountain will be shut down
and drained. An engineering consultant will examine every aspect
of the Fountain and determine what requires replacement. The consultant
is Wayne C. Kelly, P.E. of M.V. Cummings Engineers Inc.
located at 6501 Arlington Expressway # B211, Jacksonville, FL 32211

Bob Baughman, Chief of Parks Maintenance says that,
with a little luck, the Fountain will be up and running by the next
Jaguar Home Game. The actual construction and repairs will not begin
until after the last home game of the season. Bob also said that
the refurbishment and repair will include the surrounding walkway and
he says that the final project will be "Impressive".

Once again thanks to the Parks Department and Bob, for the information
and the determination, on the City's part, to make sure that the
Fountain will be a Center Piece of the Southbank. This project will
ensure that the Fountain is Operating properly for the years to come, and
that visitors to the Fountain will experience a breathtaking view.

I will be updating this page as often as new information
is available, Click on the picture for more pictures and information!

Click on the Picture for more pictures and information.