Community

Long, Dry Season Of Repair Almost Over For J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain

KCUR | By Elle Moxley

Published April 1, 2015 at 3:24 PM CDT

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Workers install refurbished bronze statuary J.C. Nichols Fountain on Wednesday at the Country Club Plaza. After four months of restoration, the iconic fountain will be unveiled on April 14 in celebration of Fountain Day.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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A statue, freshly cleaned and waxed, is lifted by crane onto a restored concrete base.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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One of the original fish sculptures by French sculptor Henri Greber, known as the 'fourth dolphin,' was reunited with the other original dolphins on Wednesday.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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A crane lifts statuary high above the Country Club Plaza.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Workers await the landing of one of the bronze dolphins.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Workers installed the bronze horsemen of the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain Wednesday.

Elle Moxley / KCUR

The iconic J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain on the Country Club Plaza will soon be bubbling again.

The fountain underwent extensive repairs this winter, paid for by $250,000 in private donations.

Workers installed the bronze statues Wednesday, and Kansas City Redditors shared photos of the four horsemen on their way across the metro.

Next week, workers will test the fountain to make sure the plumbing has been installed correctly. It's expected to reopen April 14 for Fountain Day.

Though the Kansas City Parks Department pays for regular maintenance and routine repairs for the city's fountains, money for extensive renovations comes from the City of Fountains Foundation. Eight other iconic fountains are considered in need of critical repairs.