(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City officials are in the process of deciding whether to remove or restore the fountain at Millennium Plaza.

 

An assessment by a professional engineering group reveals the no longer working fountain would need substantial restoration.

 

A sampling of the current problems cited in the report include numerous cracks in the fountain floor; a weathered, stained and pitted outer fountain containment wall and lights in the fountain not working from vandalism.  

 

The pump house was deemed as in a state of disrepair.

 

The fountain was a popular feature of Millennium Plaza, which opened beside Trail Creek at the lakefront in 2000 to celebrate the millennium.

 

The assessment also reveals various repairs to the fountain have constantly been needed in more recent years. Those repairs have ranged from addressing a structure weakened from deterioration of the concrete to reopening a drain line clogged with concrete fragments and replacing inoperable control panels.

 

When opening the fountain last year, the main pump froze up and broke. cracks and other deficiencies were also found with the 1.3 acre concrete plaza.

 

The decision on whether to restore or remove the fountain will be up to the city council.