#FriendshipFountain Christmas program and More News

Last night the Christmas Program was run through (so if you were downtown and swore you heard White Christmas or Blue Christmas, you did)...

Some videos of the program can be seen in my YouTube Channel and below is one segment I particularly liked, it ROCKED!



As has been the case each evening I have been to the Fountain there was never less than 20 or more people there and there was even a family having a late picnic at 8:30 PM last night :)

Oh as I noted in the subject there is more News regarding the Fountain. Eric Lindstrom with the JEDC let me know yesterday that they will be adding a Pergola to the east side of the Fountain, as indicated in the below construction draft.



Also they are discussing painting both the outside wall of the Fountain and the Pumphouse to match the new Columns color scheme, which would really spruce that up.

AND we are not done yet... An additional 10 song "Downtown" themed Music and Light Program is going to be created.

Eric also provided me with this general daily schedule for the Fountain for the foreseeable future.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Daytime Ambient Program (Water only)
12:00 PM - Patriotic Soundtrack / Water
12:35 PM - 5:30 PM - Daytime Ambient Program (Water only)
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Patriotic Siuntrack / Water
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Daytime Ambient program (Water only)
8:00 PM - 10:20 PM Patriotic Soundtrack (Lights/Music/Water) On Loop
10:20 PM - 12:00 AM Ambient Night Program (Lights/Water)
12:01 AM - Fountain Off

I got to see a portion of the Night Ambient program last night and it is impressive all by itself...

Remember folks any pictures you take at the Fountain you are welcome to submit them to be included in the Friendship Fountain Gallery.
http://www.jaxfountain.com/upload.shtm

Till next time,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Nightly Light and Music Show

Phil, a Friend of #FriendshipFountain, let us know that on Tuesday night, (Jun 21) there was no Sound and Light show, at least between 8:45 PM and 9:30 PM and he obviously was disappointed, especially since he had some out of town visitors with him...

I contacted the City of Jacksonville Keyholders for the Fountain and Renovation project and received this back from Eric Lindstrom...

Bob: There are some software glitches that are being worked out. My understanding is the problem should be worked out by now. As with anything new, initial problems do arise. My apologies to the folks who missed the show Tuesday night. I'm hopeful they will understand and return again as, as you know, the show will be worth a return visit.

Thanks for bringing their issue to my attention.

Eric Lindstrom
Redevelopment Manager

I want to thank Eric for his prompt attention to this, response received within 40 minutes of my initial email to Eric and others, and hopefully any glitches have all been worked out.

Also as Eric mentioned

"as you know, the show will be worth a return visit."

Absolutely worth a second, third and more, trips. Folks if you haven't seen the Friendship Fountain Patriotic Sound and light Show in person you just can't imagine how impressive it is...

I also want to thank Phil for his concern and taking the time to bring this to our attention, this is just the type of Community involvement we need in the City of Jacksonville, both to ensure our Elected Officials and City Employees are taking care of business but also to demonstrate that people do pay attention and if we had more Phil's possibly other areas would have more needed attention paid to them.

Remember you can drop an email to us here at JaxFountain.com at anytime and we will always answer those messages and also do our best to get answers if needed from those responsible...

Till next time,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Grand Reopening - June 18, 2011

Wow what a busy day Saturday turned out to be...

Arrived at the Fountain around 8:15 AM and a number of people were already there and more kept coming. First thing noticed was the new roundabout as you approached the Fountain, very nicely done.



By the time 9:30 rolled around there was about 200 people or so (my best guestimate) and the ceremonies began. The Mayor addressed the crowd followed by Warren Jones, Don Redman and Taylor Hardwick, the original Architect for Friendship Fountain and park.



For videos of the the Opening Ceremony speeches please visit YouTube.

Then as the Fountain jets began to ramp up the Mayor invited everyone to throw a coin for good luck into the Fountain (the City provided nickels to everyone) and with that the Music began and the Patriotic program began to run and you could hear the Ohhs and Ahhs as the different elements of the renovated Fountain began to show themselves.



I got to meet a number of folks during the Grand reopening, Beth Slater (twitter newzgrrl) and her boyfriend and Carrie (twitter CarrieMcLaren) and her Husband as well as a dozen others... Folks I am notoriously bad about names and faces so I apologize if I met you yesterday and didn't mention you by name.

Two new additions to the Fountain landscape were unveiled yesterday, two plaques placed in the North West and North East corners.


All in all I thought it was a great day for the City of Jacksonville and Friendship Fountain.



To see all the pictures I took just visit this link.
http://jaxfountain.com/Gallery/Fountain2011

The current plans are for the patriotic program to be run each evening from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM and from past experience you do not want to miss getting to see the Fountain in full color at night.

Speaking of night time my wife and I took a trip back down to the Fountain last evening and we were amazed when we arrived as there had to have been 200 - 300 people all around the Fountain, every bench was occupied, couples and families were sprawled out on the grass on all sides of the Fountain, it was simply amazing at the number of people that were present.



Kids were playing everywhere and everyone seemed to be taking pictures of either the Fountain or of Friends or loved ones using the Fountain as a back drop, it was simply amazing...



Jacksonville please welcome back Your Fountain with it's New renovated Park and I hope that you not only get a chance to visit but visit often and enjoy.

Also don't forget that this is Your Fountain and property and if you note anything that needs attention please let the City know or at least let me know so it can be passed on, it is up to Us to make sure our property is maintained and operated properly :)

Till next time,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Grand Reopening June 18, 2011

Tomorrow will mark the Grand Reopening of Friendship Fountain and I am certainly hoping for a nice crowd to kick the new Era of Friendship Fountain and Park off on a proud note...

A number of City dignitaries, including Mayor Peyton, will be present as well as an expected appearance by Taylor Hardwick, the original Fountain Architect.

A number of Local News outlets have posted stories regarding the Renovation of Friendship Fountain and park which I will link below:

Times Union by Charlie Patton: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-06-16/story/renovated-friendship-fountain-will-reopen-saturday
WOKV: http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/3-million-your-tax-dollars-display-friendship-foun/nCw2m/
TV-4: http://www.news4jax.com/news/28200584/detail.html
Bold New City 5.0 http://bnc5.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-revitalized-downtown/

If any more "Love" gets posted today I will add the links...

I know a number of folks that Frequent the Metro Jacksonville Forums have stopped by the Fountain in the last few days and everyone's impression have been nothing but positive.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,9617.255.html

I took a quick trip down to the Fountain yesterday and got some more shots of the Park, which is just beautiful.





Along with a Video from the Pumphouse:


Ok that will be the last "Renovation" Post as tomorrow at this time I expect to be tweeting from Friendship Fountain for the Grand reopening, hashtag #FriendshipFountain

Till then,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Gets some Love from TV4 WJXT

Well finally a bit of Love for Friendship Fountain, this from WJXT TV4.

A video and print story regarding the Fountain Renovation and Reopening.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/28202024/index.html
http://www.news4jax.com/news/28200584/detail.html

I am not sure but the shot of the Fountain being tested at night may be one of the JaxFountain.com videos :)

A mention of the Grand Reopening on TV47 Action News as well...
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/actionlocal/story/Friendship-Fountain-set-to-reopen/JKuoECTFU0uOM7QyuFTsPw.cspx

A little Love from the Times Union on May 11, 2011
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-05-11/story/friendship-fountains-new-pumps-get-workout

TV12, FirstCoastnews.com, did report on the new Seal back in April...
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=201131

Remember one week from today, Saturday June 18, 2011 starting at 9:00 AM ET the Grand Reopening of Friendship Fountain and Park will be held and we hope to see YOU at the Grand Reopening...

Till next time,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Jun 9, 2011 Patriotic Program

Last night starting at about 8:30 PM ET anyone that happened to be downtown got a real treat as a complete Patriotic Program was run. A number of City officials were present and as it was finishing the Mayor arrived and we got to run the complete program a second time.

I was able to get Videos of the complete run through both from ground level and from the Pump House Roof and you can see those videos at the below links.

http://www.jaxfountain.com/FriendshipFountainDisplay2011.php
http://www.jaxfountain.com/FriendshipFountainDisplay2011PumpHouse.php

Additionally I have posted up a number of pictures from last evening.
http://jaxfountain.com/Gallery/Jun092011

Just to get an idea of the new Friendship Park take a look at this video...



Remember just one week to go until the Grand reopening of Friendship Fountain and Park and you will want to be there.



Until next time,
Bob

#FriendshipFountain Grand Reopening Information

From Ginny Walthour of the City of Jacksonville Public Information Office...



Hope you can make it...

-Bob

City of Jacksonville Official Public Announcement:

MAYOR PEYTON TO OFFICIALLY REOPEN FRIENDSHIP FOUNTAIN

$3.1 million project completed for residents to enjoy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 08, 2011 - Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton will join City Council members Don Redman and Warren Jones, downtown partners, as well as representatives of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), Public Works and the Recreation and Community Services departments and the project's contractor AC General, Inc. to celebrate the reopening of Friendship Fountain Park.

WHEN:Saturday, June 18
9 - 11 a.m.

WHERE: Friendship Fountain Park, Southbank Riverwalk
(Free event parking will be available in the JTA lot under the Acosta Bridge.)


WHAT: The event will feature a dedication ceremony, entertainment and family-friendly activities, in conjunction with the Museum of Science & History (MOSH). The free event is open to the public and residents are encouraged to enjoy the newly refurbished Friendship Fountain in its new park-like setting.

The $3.1 million restoration project replaced broken concrete areas surrounding the fountain with natural grass surfaces, added seating opportunities for passive recreation and installed new sidewalks, lighting and trees. Additionally, the project includes refurbishment of the fountain infrastructure, including the pumps, piping and electrical systems, to restore it to its iconic stature.

As one of his last personal appearances as mayor, Mayor Peyton will celebrate this restoration project as part of his commitment to revitalize and bring more life to downtown and provide another opportunity for workers, residents and visitors to congregate and enjoy the city's assets of the Southbank Riverwalk and the St. Johns River.

#FriendshipFountain Home Stretch

Today marks the last two weeks until the Grand Reopening of Friendship Fountain and Park and last night I got treated to some more night time testing of the Fountain lighting and music programming and WOW is really all I can say...



Hope that helps give you some idea ;)

Also a special color was added, "Donna Pink"



I will be posting a final Update this Friday after another Night time testing event on Thursday evening and I certainly hope that everyone who has been following the Renovation is planning in attending the Grand reopening on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 9:00 AM ET, I certainly will be there ;)

Oh and one more tease, a little video that may give you a better idea of the changes to the Park as you enter...



Until next time,
Bob

Starting to come together #FriendshipFounatin

Spent a couple of hours down at Friendship Fountain and Park this afternoon and WOW...



It is all starting to come together, all of the trees and palms are in place, all the sod except for a very small area has been laid and you can get a real sense of what a HUGE improvement Friendship Fountain Park has undergone.



I honestly can picture dozens of people sitting at picnic tables or just sitting on the grass (where concrete once ruled) in the shade and enjoying a few moments watching what is arguably the Signature Location of Jacksonville, FL.



The guys from AC General are basically working on final touches, those small little nagging things that every project of this magnitude end up having but appear to have everything well in hand for The Grand reopening of Friendship Fountain and Park on Saturday June 18, 2011 at beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

All of today's pictures can be viewed at this link:
http://jaxfountain.com/Gallery/Jun032011

I expect to have at least a couple of more posts before the Grand Reopening, including hopefully at least one more night time shoot...

One more time make sure you have marked Saturday June 18, 2011 on your calendar and plan on attending the Friendship Fountain and Park Grand reopening... 9:00 AM ET...

Until the next time, which could be soon ;)...

-Bob