The interactive fountain has arrived at Jackson Square. It’s the central component in the $1 million renovation of the square’s parking lot. Above, workers unload the fountain’s vault, which is essentially its operating system, early Thursday afternoon. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Note: This story was updated at 4 p.m.
The interactive water fountain has arrived at Jackson Square. It’s a central component in the $1 million renovation of the shopping center’s parking lot.
The fountain components that arrived on a semi truck early Thursday afternoon were a large vault, which is the fountain’s operating system, and a collection tank. Spray pods that will go around the fountain were already here.
The entire fountain, which was custom-built by Roman Fountains of New Mexico, is now on site, said Angel Rich, president of Rich Construction Inc. of Lenoir City. The parking lot renovation, which is mostly funded with a state grant and includes the fountain, is expected to be substantially complete by September 15. That would be in time for the Taste of Anderson County on September 19 at Jackson Square.
Rich said the next steps are to dig a hole for the fountain and install it, run electrical and water lines to it, and tie it into the city’s sewer system.
Separately, two power pedestals that will feed electricity to the entire project need to be installed. One will be at the northwest corner of Jackson Square near Dean’s Restaurant and Bakery and the other will be at the southeast corner near The String Workshop.
Rich said the power pedestals, which are being custom-built by a company called Milbank, should be here early next week.
She said the systems are interconnected. For example, power is needed for the irrigation system, which is needed for landscape plantings, Rich said.
There was a lot of activity at Jackson Square on Thursday as the mayor, city manager, city’s retail consultant, and electric, public works, and recreation and parks directors were all on site, along with workers from Rich Construction, Lewis Electric, and Oak Ridge Electric and Public Works departments.
“It’s getting better,” said Waldek Kaczocha of Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen. “I see the good days coming.”
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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From left, Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs, Public Works Director Gary Cinder, and City Manager Mark Watson talk to Waldek Kaczocha of Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen during a visit to Jackson Square on Thursday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Above is a worker safety box to be used by crews installing the fountain. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Waldek Kaczocha of Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen said the biggest improvement for him has been the larger sidewalks that are part of the $1 million renovation of the Jackson Square parking lot. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
