Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

November 16, 2011
by Taryn Luna
 

A $9.6 million renovation project to return the city's Point State Park fountain to its spouting spout glory and up its attraction factor is expected to begin this month.

The project, which will add a waterfall and a disappearing edge to the fountain, is the last phase of a $35 million renovation to Point State Park orchestrated by the state, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Riverlife.

Plans for the largest park project in commonwealth history began over a decade ago with the aim to overhaul the landscape, reconstruct wharfs and add a cafe, among other renovations. Construction started in 2007.

The fountain, which sits at the point where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers join to form the Ohio River, has become a staple of the city since its inception in 1974.

"It is the view that Pittsburgh has become famous for," said Lisa Schroeder, president of Riverlife, a public-private partnership that guides and advocates for the redevelopment of Pittsburgh's riverfronts.

Ms. Schroeder said the fountain has also become a cultural symbol.

"It's not only a beautiful element, but it's a wonderful symbol of that drive that Pittsburghers have to reclaim their environment and make the city a great place to live," she said.

But over the years, the fountain has deteriorated.