Water Works

Go take your classic shots of Buckingham Fountain now. Come September, the landmark will be under a tent for a while as part of a $25 million restoration.

The fountain was last restored back in 1994, but this is a bigger undertaking. According to the Trib, "[this restoration will] concentrate on the outer basin and surrounding grounds, while also assessing whether pieces of the fountain's machinery can be made more energy-efficient.

And who's footing the bill? Kinda everyone. The Park District is kicking in over $1 million, $8 million is coming from the fountain's endowment, and the rest from the city, maybe the state, and from private donors. [Trib, Chitown Daily News]