Downtown Naperville fountains set for repairs this summer

Three popular Naperville fountains will be getting some much-needed repairs, but it won’t come cheap.

City council members approved the fixes, estimated to cost $423,600, in a 6-3 vote. Those who voted no expressed concerns about the cost and suggested public art installations would cost less to maintain in the long term.

“I’m uncomfortable with spending that amount of money on this option, which just locks the city into future long-term maintenance on fountains,” Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh said at a recent council meeting.

Councilmen Josh McBroom and Nate Wilson also voted no, saying the work costs too much.

The project covers repairs at Memories Fountain in Fredenhagen Park, Dandelion Fountain near Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, and Horse Trough Fountain near Main Street and Chicago Avenue. All three fountains are near the riverwalk.

Memories Fountain, which features bricks purchased by residents to honor friends or family, makes up the bulk of the project cost, roughly $365,400. The 20-year-old fountain has not been running since 2021 because it could no longer hold water due to leaky pipes and a broken liner, said Bill Novak, director of transportation, engineering and development.

Planned repairs include new pipes, upgrades to pumps, a new liner and removing the recessed lighting and adding new lights that will be attached to the fountain jets.

City officials noted initial estimates to repair Memories Fountain alone were close to $400,000.

Novak said the city’s riverwalk commission extensively reviewed the repairs after the projects were put on hold 2⅟₂ years ago due to cost. The commission considered other options, including public art or turning the fountain into a large planter, but ultimately recommended the three fountains be fixed.

Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor said while the cost gives her pause and could be seen as just “beautification,” the fountains and other features help draw people to the downtown district.

“One of the things that are easy to cut are things that are seen as beautification,” she said. “But really, they serve a purpose in bringing people to downtown Naperville so that they spend money.”

Repairs at Horse Trough Fountain are expected to cost nearly $33,000, while fixes at Dandelion Fountain will cost about $25,000.

Novak said Horse Trough Fountain is not running in anticipation of repairs. Crews are expected to complete all repairs by mid-July.