A 140-year-old fountain that anchors Boston Common’s eastern edge could get a new infusion of cash if the City Council approves a proposed renovation project.
The Boston City Council discussed the authorization of a $200,000 federally funded grant for the Boston City Parks and Recreation Department for the Brewer fountain in Boston Common Monday in an effort to beatify the area while plugging problematic leaks.
Parks and Recreation Department historic parks Director Margaret Dyson said the historic fountain, which sits on the corner of Tremont Street over the Park Street MBTA station, needs a new plumbing system because it leaks into the subway station.
The PRD would like to clean and restore the original bronze from the fountain and install a new plumbing system that would re-circulate water to be more environmentally friendly.’
‘Fountains are the heart and soul of parks,’ she said.
The fountain dates to 1868 and was the city’s first piece of public art.
The plea for cash came on the same day Boston Chief Financial Officer Lisa Signori discussed major budget cuts with the Council on the heels of the one of the worst financial crises to hit the nation – and the Hub’s financial services sector – in recent memory. The state is currently facing an estimated $1.4 billion budget deficit.
Lee said Friends of the Public Garden is trying to raise funds for the improvement of the area around the fountain. This would include planting greenery in the area adjacent to the fountain, he said.
Steven Maler, founding artistic director for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, spoke ‘as a neighbor of the Commons’ and said the fountain is a piece of art.
Dyson said the PRD will start getting bids in the next month so reconstruction can start this winter and new work can begin in the spring.
‘This project should take about a year, if we can get prices that fit our budget,’ she said.’
While the fountain is being restored, a sign will be up notifying the public of the restoration project, Dyson said.’
City Councilor Bill Linehan emphasized the importance of maintaining the fountain because of its contributions to tourism in the city.
‘This is one of those focal points that attracts folks to the Commons,’ he said.
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