A Grant Park fountain that has been dry for half a century is set to flow once again.
The Milledge Fountain, located on the corner of Milledge and Cherokee avenues, was built in 1927. The fountain fell into disrepair over time, and it has been inoperable since the ’50s.
Impairments included corroded parts, broken tiles and old plumbing that prevented water from flowing. Plus, the original fish sculpture had deteriorated so much it was unrecognizable, according to a press release.
The Grant Park Conservancy took on the restoration project years ago. Artist Christine Mann used old photographs to closely reproduce the fish and bowl, original material from the tile mosiac was salvaged and pieces that were missing were replaced to match the original.
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GPC will unveil the restored fountain to the public on the first of November with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Fundraising goals were reached by grants from Park Pride Legacy, the Waterfall Foundation and Georgia Power; donations from the Grant Park Neighborhood Association and the Grant Park Parents Network; and community support, the statement said.
The functional return of a nostalgic relic comes at a time when residents are fighting to save other park fixtures: trees. Plans to remove many old trees for a parking garage have recently been paused at the request of Atlanta City Councilwoman Carla Smith.
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