Controversial S.F. Fountain Excluded from Embarcadero Renovation Plans

The Fate of Vaillancourt Fountain Hangs in the Balance

The debate over the future of the Vaillancourt Fountain has intensified as community members gathered for a public meeting to discuss its potential removal from Embarcadero Plaza. This event marked the first time a city official publicly acknowledged that the controversial concrete sculpture is not part of the current renovation plan for the area.

Eoanna Goodwin, a project manager with the Recreation and Park Department, shared the latest financial details regarding the fountain's condition. She mentioned that while the department initially considered keeping the structure in place, the cost estimates proved too high. "Once we got the cost estimate, it was beyond our project budget," she said, addressing an audience that largely supported the preservation of the fountain.

This revelation came as a significant blow to supporters who have long advocated for the fountain’s survival. In June, the Rec and Park Department had taken action by fencing off the 710-ton sculpture after declaring it a public hazard. A previous report estimated the renovation costs at around $17 million, but a new independent assessment now places the price tag at $29 million. This figure does not include additional expenses such as planning, permits, and annual maintenance, which could add up to at least $100,000 per year.

Goodwin highlighted that this cost is nearly equivalent to the entire budget for the Embarcadero Plaza makeover, which is set at $32.5 million. The alternative option of dismantling and removing the fountain is estimated to cost $2.5 million.

The proposed development aims to merge Embarcadero Plaza with the adjacent Sue Bierman Park, creating a single 5-acre multiuse park. This ambitious project involves a public-private partnership between several entities, including the Recreation and Park Department, BXP, the Downtown SF Partnership, and the Office of Economic Workforce Development.

Despite the city's stance, the fountain is part of the Civic Art Collection, and its ultimate fate will be decided by the Arts Commission and possibly the Board of Supervisors. The recent community forum, held at Codi, a pop-up meeting space at Embarcadero Three, occurred just one month after the fountain's creator, Armand Vaillancourt, made a rare visit from his Montreal home to advocate for the preservation of his work.

Vaillancourt, now 95 years old, expressed confidence that the fountain could last for another 50 years with some cleaning and repairs. Although he did not attend the meeting, his daughter, Oceania, who lives in San Francisco, attended and delivered an emotional plea for her father's creation. “I just can't imagine the fountain not being there,” she said through tears, urging the community to rally together to change the decision.

Members of the Northern California chapter of Docomomo US, a group dedicated to preserving modernist architecture, were also present at the meeting. Petra Marar, a representative of the group, noted that the fountain was not included in any of the diagrams presented by HOK, the design firm working on the project. She expressed concerns that the process lacked meaningful discussion and seemed to favor the removal of the fountain.

Andrew Sullivan, a landscape architect who worked with the renowned designer Lawrence Halprin, criticized the city's approach. He argued that the decision to remove the fountain appeared predetermined without proper design considerations. “They created excuses to get rid of it without any meaningful discussion,” he stated.

The design of the park is still under consideration, and the unification of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park will continue with a third hearing scheduled for the fall. Once the design phase begins, the community will have an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of this space.

Goodwin emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “We want your help in shaping this beautiful space.” As the discussion continues, the fate of the Vaillancourt Fountain remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for this iconic piece of public art.