Richmond welcomes back fountain

After two months and $35,000 water once again flows through the Monroe Park Fountain, which shines after being refurbished via a special partnership of Richmond citizens and VCU.

“This is a great day because all the people have made a personal commitment. It’s about partnership between citizens and policy-makers,” said Calvin D. Jamison, Richmond’s city manager, at the Oct. 22 rechristening of the fountain that stands in the middle of Monroe Park.

That partnership included the Monroe Park Advisory Council, VCU and the Historic Monument Avenue and the Fan District associations.

“VCU had a problem going forward. As a state institution they were not permitted to spend funds on property they did not own,” said William J. Pantele, Richmond’s 2nd District councilman.

But after partnering with other organizations and creating the park’s advisory council, he said VCU could help with the funding.

“We could not have had a better partner,” Pantele said.

Still, the fountain is just one phase of a multiphase improvement plan for Monroe Park. Other projects for it are on the drawing board.

“The key thing is to have a very positive working relationship and partnership with VCU, the Monroe Park Advisory Council and the neighborhood groups where the common mission is to restore and beautify the historic park,” said Dinesh V. Tiwari, director of Richmond’s Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

During the rechristening ceremony, Binford Middle School represented the Fan District by providing a drum roll while members of each organization and other attendees joined in the countdown to flip the switch. Local officials, community citizens – including some from VCU – and others applauded as the first burst of water spouted quickly from the fountain.

Rudy McCollum, Richmond’s mayor, told the group that cities would love to have the beautiful space Richmond has:

“I think the new fountain is a perfect example of what’s happening in Richmond. We’re taking old assets and giving them fresh and new opportunities to excite people and upgrade the quality of life in Richmond.”

Pantele agreed, telling the people watching the flowing water that the fountain restoration project started a year ago when he began receiving e-mails that led to the Monroe Park Advisory Council. Consequently, he said, the council developed a plan and worked with the city to restore the fountain, which Pantele called a “giant step” for the park and the “linchpin” of revitalization for Richmond.