by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The City Council Finance Committee took the first steps towards revamping the area surrounding Friendship Fountain Monday morning. It likely won’t be cheap, but the Committee unanimously supported at least appropriating $75,000 to pay for the initial design services that will help the City proceed in either repairing the failing fountain or renovating everything else around it.
Interim Parks Director Paul Crawford told the Committee members at its regular meeting that, barring complications, the City would hire a consultant within the next few months who would create and help implement a “master plan” for that portion of the Southbank.
“At this stage we’re focusing more on determining what we need to do to all of the land near River City Brewing Company and (The Museum of Science and History),” Crawford said. “Ultimately we may repair the fountain or we may determine that it isn’t in our best interest to sink that kind of money into it.
“We may even move it or substantially alter it if the consultant makes that kind of recommendation and the City agrees.”
Between February 2000 and December 2005, the City will have spent more than $1.6 million on various fountain improvements, not including regular maintenance. Council member Lad Daniels is among those skeptical of spending much more.
According to a document request by Daniels last month, it would cost upwards of $856,000 to make another series of repairs and upgrades to the fountain. That work would include new lighting, leak repair and pump replacement. The latter renovation alone would cost the City upwards of $600,000. Two of the fountain’s three 40-plus year-old pumps are not working at this time.
“But again, we’re looking at more than just the actual fountain,” Crawford said. “We need to know how we should proceed in renovating and making the best use of all the land over there. The consultant we hire should be able to give us a better idea.”
Crawford said the consultant would likely be given “general guidelines” when developing a master plan, but that there would be a number of potential outcomes.
“We have a lot to work with,” he said. “We just have to understand how we can make the most of it.”