Friendship Fountain October 2023 Photo Tour

[Ken_FSU]

Sounds like only the fountain will open in early 2024. The splash pad, kids playground, etc. will not be included in that opening.

Love it.

A shame that the past administration made zero progress on the ancillary park features, but I'm happy the new administration is prioritizing returning Friendship Fountain to the public rather than continuing to hold it hostage.

Hopefully the additional features come with time.

[jaxoNOLE]

Melissa Ross, the Mayor's press liaison, posted photos from last night of the fountain running.

Looks like park opening will be at the end of January 2024 according to Ms. Ross' twitter account. Anyone taking the over?

For Deegan to successfully restore trust in our local government, keeping these small promises will be key. The project has been mismanaged, but injecting a bit of sanity to a bad situation and getting something opened will slowly begin to signal that we are in competent hands who just need time to right the ship. It's a low bar to clear, but that's where we are.

Miss the January deadline...well, that would fall squarely on Deegan's administration and suggest that the promised change isn't happening fast enough. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

[thelakelander]

The project has been mismanaged, but injecting a bit of sanity to a bad situation and getting something opened will slowly begin to signal that we are in competent hands who just need time to right the ship. It's a low bar to clear, but that's where we are.

Yes, that's where we're at these days. The bar is pretty low to clear but must be done.

[Ken_FSU]

Melissa Ross, the Mayor's press liaison, posted photos from last night of the fountain running.

Looks like park opening will be at the end of January 2024 according to Ms. Ross' twitter account. Anyone taking the over?

For Deegan to successfully restore trust in our local government, keeping these small promises will be key. The project has been mismanaged, but injecting a bit of sanity to a bad situation and getting something opened will slowly begin to signal that we are in competent hands who just need time to right the ship. It's a low bar to clear, but that's where we are.

Miss the January deadline...well, that would fall squarely on Deegan's administration and suggest that the promised change isn't happening fast enough. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

January becomes February.

https://jaxtoday.org/2023/12/20/friendship-fountain-looked-done-on-sunday-night-football-it-isnt/

[marcuscnelson]

That's a shame. What is the issue at this point? Funding? Materials? Labor? What walls need to be broken down?

[Tacachale]

The fountain itself is done. The rest of the park and surrounding area will be done in phases so the whole thing isn't kept fenced off until everything is ready. Others like Lenny's Lawn will be the same; work there is happening now.

[Ken_FSU]

The fountain itself is done. The rest of the park and surrounding area will be done in phases so the whole thing isn't kept fenced off until everything is ready. Others like Lenny's Lawn will be the same; work there is happening now.

Any idea on the timeline for the children's playground/splash pad element, Bill? Think we'll find funding for it sooner than later?

[Joey Mackey]

Officially opening on February 15th, to correspond with an expanded Sip n Stroll footprint. I will certainly be there, and I think instead of the mayor pushing the button to start the synchronized music, it should be Ken_FSU.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/02/02/lights-water-music-friendship-fountain-to-sparkle-again-on-the-southbank/

[thelakelander]

Very happy to hear this. Kudos to the Deegan administration for getting this low hanging fruit project back on track.

[Snaketoz]

Many airline reservations sites are being overwhelmed by the shear volume of flyers seeking trips to Jax for this attraction.  Most hotel rooms are in short supply.

[fsu813]

Fountain should be great. Love the Hardwick-esque touches they placed around it.

The park itself will be another year or so before it opens.

[Ken_FSU]

Officially opening on February 15th, to correspond with an expanded Sip n Stroll footprint. I will certainly be there, and I think instead of the mayor pushing the button to start the synchronized music, it should be Ken_FSU.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/02/02/lights-water-music-friendship-fountain-to-sparkle-again-on-the-southbank/

That's my mayor!

1. Sets out an aggressive timeline
2. Finishes on time
3. Re-opens the park, at a public event, within days of completion, rather than holding the space hostage for months to hold a self-serviing ribbon cutting during working hours

Appreciate ya, Joey, but will happily defer the button press 

Small sample size, a lot left to do, but it's crazy what happens when you start to put the community first, the special interests second, and surround yourself with a lot of smart people.

[acme54321]

The fences around the fountain itself are down and its open now but they are still working on fine tuning it seems.

[heights unknown]

Officially opening on February 15th, to correspond with an expanded Sip n Stroll footprint. I will certainly be there, and I think instead of the mayor pushing the button to start the synchronized music, it should be Ken_FSU.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/02/02/lights-water-music-friendship-fountain-to-sparkle-again-on-the-southbank/

Absolutely beautiful and lovely. Wish they could of had more of different types of colors but hey...I will not cry over spilled milk or overly complain; I'LL TAKE IT!!!

[BridgeTroll]

Woohoo... it's almost Vegas!!  I see a Super Bowl in the future...