Repairs to Kenan Fountain are complete

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Repairs and improvements made to the Kenan Fountain on Market Street in Downtown Wilmington are now complete after new lighting was installed this week.

The historic fountain was damaged after it was struck by a car this summer. The accident prompted City Council to consider alternatives to help reduce future accidents at the fountain, located at Market and 5th Streets.

In November, Wilmington City Council approved funding for better light at the fountain as a low-cost option to increase visibility to drivers.

Structural repairs cost about $73,875 and were made in December to the limestone where the car hit the fountain. The damaged stonework of the historic fountain, originally installed in 1921, had to be re-carved by hand.

Improved lighting around the fountain was installed this week. While no additional lights were added, the older fixtures were replaced with more energy efficient and brighter LED lights. The light fixtures on the traffic poles at the intersection, as well as around the base of the fountain, were replaced at a cost of $8,300.

The fountain does not currently have water flowing through it because the city does not operate it during the winter months to protect the pipes from freezing but the water will be turned on next month.