Chicago's Buckingham Fountain to undergo $25-million restoration

This post really is simply an opportunity to post a photo of Buckingham Fountain. A photo of a Summertime Diversion here in Chicago sounded like a great idea to me as I gazed at the weather forecast for tomorrow that contains another plunge into the single digits.

But I digress.

The Chicago Park District approved a project to undertake a $25-million restoration project for Buckingham Fountain on Wednesday. The project will be the most comprehensive restoration yet undertaken on the 81 year old landmark.

$8-million of the cost will come from the reserve fund set up as part of the original endowment for the fountain by its benefactor - Kate Sturges Buckingham. Wasn't she smart to leave enough cash to pay for the perpetual maintenance and upkeep of the landmark that bears her name?

According to the Park District, renovations would start shortly after Labor Day this fall, and last until Memorial Day, 2009. Hopefully they would have the fountain in order by the normal opening day - but are leaving themselves some wiggle room. Normally the fountain runs from April to early November of each year.