Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Jack Webb today joined the project's contractor AC General, Inc., downtown partners and representatives of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), Public Works and the Recreation and Community Services departments to officially break ground on the Friendship Fountain restoration project.

Improvement plans include replacement of the broken concrete areas surrounding the fountain with natural grass surfaces, adding seating opportunities for passive recreation and installing new sidewalks, lighting and trees. The project also includes refurbishment of the fountain infrastructure, including the pumps, piping and electrical systems, to make it fully operational again and help make it the iconic downtown attraction it was in the past.

“I want to thank our downtown partners and supporters for working with the city as we begin this project to restore one of downtown's most prominent attractions to further enhance downtown as a destination that all can enjoy,” said Mayor John Peyton. “The greening and softening of the area surrounding the fountain will provide another opportunity for workers, residents and visitors to congregate and enjoy the city's assets of the Southbank Riverwalk and St. Johns River.”

“Friendship Fountain is an important asset to downtown Jacksonville and its restoration will enhance the street-level environment and encourage more walkability throughout the urban core,” said City Council President Jack Webb. “By enhancing existing infrastructure, we will create a more pleasing and inviting setting for all to enjoy that will create long-lasting beneficial effects in downtown.”

“This restoration is not only making much-needed improvements to Friendship Fountain, it is also helping to create better connectivity to the Southbank Riverwalk,” said City Councilman Don Redman. “These fountain and park renovations, combined with the better public access to the St. Johns River they will allow, are essential to the continued revitalization of downtown.”

Currently, Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk west of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum are closed. Expected completion of the project is early summer 2011.