Restoration of Village Hall fountain on tap for this fall

A fixture of downtown Wilmette installed during the nation’s bicentennial is set for a facelift during the country’s 250th anniversary.

Trustees during their Aug. 25 session approved a contract for $91,300 for masonry restoration work to the Village Hall fountain and retaining wall.

Village Manager Michael Braiman said during the meeting that the fountain and retaining wall have experienced “advanced deterioration” and that the contract is necessary to “maintain adequate public spaces.”

The fountain, first built in 1976, has not undergone extensive repair work like this during its 50-year history.

“It’s performed well,” Braiman noted.

Village officials this summer assessed the fountain’s footing and foundation to confirm its structural integrity. That process determined that while it’s structurally intact, the masonry restoration efforts are needed to provide a long-term repair solution.

Wilmette public works officials noted in a village memo that “while the investment for masonry restoration is significant, it remains a far less costly option than complete demolition and reconstruction, which is expected to be 10-plus years away.”

Repair efforts will take approximately three weeks with work on the project set to begin late this fall, officials said.

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