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| Work is beginning to restore landmark fountains at Unity Village  Work is beginning at Unity Village to restore one of the largest fountains in the Kansas City metro area to its original historic beauty. The fountains, which serve as a Unity Village campus centerpiece and a major draw for visitors, were originally designed for practical use: The mirror pools, built in the late 1940s, were part of the buildings' air-conditioning system. In the early '50s, when growth and expansion increased the cooling demands at Unity Village, cast-concrete dome fountainheads and spray nozzles were added. The decorative fountains were used to cool water for the chiller equipment. The water sprayed higher as the temperature rose.In 2003, a large section of the deteriorated concrete collapsed. Since then, the fountains have remained silent and the reflecting pools empty. In the restored fountains, water will spray from the outer edges, arching toward the center. The 56 ash trees that line the fountains will be removed this weekend due to disease and the damage their horizontal root systems have caused to underground piping. "Anderson Red" columnar maple trees, which have vertical root systems that will not impede below-ground campus infrastructure, will replace the 50-year-old ash trees. Large flowering urns, ornamental lighting, and a pathway of brick pavers engraved with donors' names will also grace the courtyard. Fundraising for the restoration project began in 2007, when Unity employees collectively contributed more than $15,000 in "seed money." Since then nearly 4,000 donors worldwide have contributed the additional funds through cash donations and the purchase of engraved brick pavers to honor loved ones. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Construction News :: home page |