Buckingham Fountain Spouts Again

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is open again, turned on last Friday evening in time for the IOC Committee. The fountain was dedicated August 26, 1927, over 80 years ago, and just underwent a $12 million facelift. Included in the renovation was new landscaping and replacement of the loose gravel that surrounds the fountain with permeable pavers.

A second phase to the renovation will begin after Labor Day. Originally, the project was planed to complete in one phase, but construction would have taken the project into late June or early July. Typically, the fountain is turned on in April. Included in the second phase will be rebuilding the large base pool, a new pump house, and treating the bronze sculptures and marble. [Trib, S-T]