Friendship Fountain Restoration Project To Break Ground

After several years of a future of uncertainty, work on the restoration of Friendship Fountain will begin this week.

Friendship Fountain - 2006


An image of Friendship Fountain during an era when the pumps worked.

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MAYOR TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH FRIENDSHIP FOUNTAIN RESTORATION PROJECT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 27, 2010 – Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton will join City Council President Jack Webb, members of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the Public Works Department, and downtown stakeholders to break ground on the $3.1 million project to restore Friendship Fountain.  


WHEN:          

9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
               

WHERE:  

Southeast portion of Friendship Fountain, directly behind the Museum of Science & History.
(Attendees may park in the River City Brewing Company parking lot.)
                       

WHAT:  

The Friendship Fountain restoration project is part of Mayor John Peyton’s commitment to revitalize and bring more life downtown. The $3.1 million project includes replacement of the broken concrete areas surrounding the fountain with natural grass surfaces, adding seating opportunities for passive recreation and installing new sidewalks, lighting and trees.  Additionally, the project includes a full refurbishment of the fountain infrastructure to make the fountain fully operational again.  Expected completion is early summer 2011.

***Please note that starting Aug. 27, 2010 and throughout the duration of the restoration, Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk, west of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, will be closed.

Source: City of Jacksonville

Friendship Fountain Park Concept Plan

The project's plans include the removal of existing paved areas and the addition of new landscaping, decorative sidewalks, benches and lighting.  Proposed maintenance improvements to the existing fountain include plumbing, water jets, lighting and controller systems.

Development Update by Ennis Davis