Wednesday, May 12, 1999

Fountain fix-up funds flowing in

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But boards not going away soon

BY DAN KLEPAL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mayor Roxanne Qualls kicks off fund raising. (Michael E. Keating photos) | ZOOM |

        With the historic Tyler Davidson Fountain reaching above lime-green plywood, the committee formed to restore Cincinnati's most famous icon announced it already has $850,000 in the bank.

        Charles Lindberg, chairman of the Tyler Davidson Committee, said about $1.5 millionmust be raised before city council can ask for bids on the project. And even then, finding someone to restore the fountain could be a problem, officials said.

        In the meantime, the fountain that has presided over nearly 130 years of gatherings — from wartime victory celebrations to summertime brown bag lunches — will remain boarded up this summer and beyond.

        City officials say the fountain has corroded to the point that it is in danger of collapsing and plywood is necessary to protect the statue and anybody who might otherwise climb on it.

        That doesn't sit well with people such as Charles Cox. The 80-year-old Goshen man has been at Fountain Square for many historic moments, and two or three lunch outings every month.

        “It kind of feels like I own that statue, it's been such a big part of this city for so long,” said Mr. Cox. “Whatever they've got to do to it, they've got to do. I just wish they'd get it done.”

Qualls looks through the plywood barrier at the fountain. | ZOOM |

        Kevin Shepard, general services director for the city, said he's not sure how long it will take to complete the project after the money is raised.

        Just finding someone to perform the work may be tricky, he said.

        “The specifications of the work have to be completed before we can say how long it will take,” Mr. Shepard said. “And right now the market (for available contractors) is fairly limited because there are millennium restorations happening all over the world.”

TO CONTRIBUTE

Mail checks to: Tyler Davidson Fund Cincinnati Parks Foundation 950 Eden Park Drive Cincinnati 45202

        For the coming months, fountain gazers must catch a glimpse of the waterless statue through two plastic windows or dozens of circular holes drilled into the plywood wall.

        Some members of city council think it's ridiculous to have the fountain boarded up at all.

        Councilman Todd Portune thinks the plywood should come down immediately. He is floating ideas that would have the city fund the restoration, then be reimbursed by private donations.

        “We've got a lot of projects on the shelf right now, and what could be more important than refurbishing the statue?” Mr. Portune asked.

        City Manager John Shirey said the wall was necessary because it was easier to climb on the fountain after its water was turned off.

        But Mr. Portune dismissed that explanation.

        “We turn the water off in winter and we don't put a wall around the statue,” he said. “There has to be a better way to deal with the safety issue.”

"A disappointment'
        Donna Kohne, 53, a Northern Kentucky resident who works downtown, said the plywood is an eyesore.

TARGET AREAS

Five major areas of the statue need work, according to a report for the city last June:   • Damage to the structural supports in the vault is “severe, progres sive and irreversible.” They need to be replaced or the statue could collapse.   • Corroded water pipes and valves must be replaced, meaning the statuary and basin first must be removed.   • Leaking water pipes under the lower basin threaten to damage the parking garage underneath the fountain. Portions of the plaza's top slab may have to be removed.   • The statue vault needs to be ventilated to reduce saturation and corrosion.   • Bronze surfaces require patching, repairing and cleaning.

        “It really will be a disappointment for people who come to Cincinnati this summer for the first time and see this,” Mrs. Kohne said. “You can't see the fountain or the beauty of it.”

        But the eyesore could eventually help raise the needed money, said Cincinnati resident Holly Covin, 37.

        “It might make people want to give money to the project,” she said. “I would give a couple of bucks” to get rid of the plywood, she said.

        Mr. Lindberg says his committee is working on that goal.

        The restoration committee wants to raise $3 million: $2 million for restoration and $1 million to maintain the landmark. Contributors so far include Fifth Third Bank, Procter and Gamble Co., and Federated Department Stores.

        “The fountain defines Cincinnati, just like the Arch defines St. Louis and the Eiffel Tower defines Paris,” Mr. Lindberg said. “Our goal is to take the fountain totally out of the public budgeting process. So we really do need support from the public.”

        Repairs will include restoring structural supports, replacing corroded and leaking pipes, installing a new ventilation system, upgrading water and light displays and restoring the bronze finish.

FOUNTAIN HISTORY
        • Feb. 15, 1867: Henry Probasco proposes to give the city a fountain dedicated to his brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson.

        • February 1870: Market houses on Fifth Street are demolished to make room for fountain and esplanade.

        • Oct. 6, 1871: Tyler Davidson Fountain dedicated.

        • 1902: Fountain cleaned for first time.

        • 1930: City manager proposes moving fountain to a city park, or in front of new Union Terminal. Public protest stops plan.

        • 1932: Flood lights illuminate fountain at night.

        • 1941: Lights on fountain are turned off for duration of World War II.

        • 1946: Fountain illuminated for first time since the war.

        • 1949: A water display pipe ring installed in fountain's basin, creating 240 thin jets of water. Lights installed around base.

        • 1966: Fountain stored on Government Square while city develops new Fountain Square Plaza.

        • 1970: Fountain moved 80 feet north and placed atop three-story parking garage. New plumbing system installed.

        • 1971: Karkadoulias Bros. Foundry begins restoration work on bronze statues.

        • Oct. 16, 1971: Fountain Square Plaza dedicated with newly restored fountain.

       

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