FAIRHOPE – After being shut down for more than a year, repairs are planned for the Mullet Run Fountain outside the Fairhope Museum.
The City Council voted Monday, Feb. 8, to approve hiring Ameri’ca Designs, LLC for professional artist consultant services to refurbish and retile the fountain at a cost of $14,100.00.
Council President Jack Burrell said the fountain needed to be repaired after being shut down for so long.
“We've looked at having this refurbished for quite a long time, probably a couple of years and it's a small expense I know we toiled over it but I think it's the right move and I'm looking forward what A'meri’ca does with this fountain,” he said. “We need to get this back up and running.”
The annual budget passed by the council Feb. 8 includes $19,726 for repairs to the fountain.
The fountain was created in 2009 by artist Ameri’ca Jones-Galaspy. In January 2020, city officials announced that the fountain would be shut down until repairs could be made.
Tiles were found to be damaged and cracks were found in the fountain. Inlaid pebbles in the fountain had come loose and damaged the pump. Chlorine and other chemicals had also been put in the salt-water fountain that damaged the piece, according to reports.
The display cost about $100,000. The cost was paid through money raised by the Committee for Public Arts, according to earlier reports.
