Center City Philadelphia

Contact Information:
RJ White, Manager of Media Relations & Interactive Marketing
rwhite@centercityphila.org
215.440.5550

Jennifer Wasilisin
South Street Headhouse District
jwasilisin@startoplin.com
215.793.4666

Family-Friendly Fountain Renovations Unveiled On Headhouse Square

(December 22, 2009) – A new fountain was activated today at 2nd and Lombard Streets, creating a new public amenity and destination in the South Street Headhouse District. During the last several months, the 33-year-old fountain was completely rebuilt with new programmable water jets, colorful light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and a new child-friendly, rubberized basin surface. The surrounding plaza has also been enhanced with low-maintenance landscaping, improved seating and new Belgian block-style paving. The project is only the first phase in a series of planned improvements to the area.

First District City Councilman Frank DiCicco secured the $955,000 in funding for the project from the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department's $150 Million Cultural and Commercial Corridor Bond Program. Design and construction of the project was managed by the Center City District on behalf of the South Street Headhouse District, with support from the Queen Village Neighborhood Association and the Society Hill Civic Association.

“Particularly in these challenging economic times,” Councilman Frank DiCicco said at the dedication, “it is important to keep up the momentum with highly visible public improvements that reinforce private investment and provide new amenities for local residents.”

Cope Linder Architects (Philadelphia) are responsible for the redesign, which was carried out by project engineer Urban Engineers, Inc. (Philadelphia), fountain engineer Hydro Dramatics (St. Louis, MO) and general contractor Seravalli, Inc. (Philadelphia).

Plans for the next-phase, which are not yet funded, include an expanded, green landscape median and café building.

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