Lake Eola fountain is back [The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.]

May 26--More than nine months after a lightning strike fried the iconic Lake Eola fountain, the water is flowing again.

Mayor Buddy Dyer switched on the fountain this afternoon, after weeks of repairs by city workers and contractors. Without water flowing over the exterior of the fountain, the plastic dome is deteriorating under the merciless Florida sun. There's also been a rush to turn it on before Fireworks at the Fountain, when thousands of visitors will go to Lake Eola Park on the Fourth of July.

"They tested it this morning, and they're ready to get the water on and get it going," city spokeswoman Heather Allebaugh said Tuesday.

Even so, the 52-year-old fountain isn't as impressive as it was in its heyday.

The lightning strike fried nearly all of its components: motors, lights and electrical controls. The city filed a $1.5 million claim with its insurance carrier, but after months of haggling, the insurer delivered a check for $285,000 this week.

City officials acknowledged that the fountain was in bad shape before the August lightning storm, and a consultant had already recommended major, costly repairs. The city's insurer would pay only for repairs necessary from the lightning damage.

"I think we all know there was some deterioration before that," Allebaugh said.

In the meantime, city workers and Ferran Services have done a mini-repair, fixing two motors that power 30- and 70-horsepower pumps. When it was switched on, water cascaded over the dome and a plume shot an estimated 60 feet straight up. The fountain had multicolored lights, but only clear lights will shine for now.

Dyer plans a full-fledged $1.5 million renovation that would modernize the fountain's components. What isn't funded by the insurance settlement will be paid for from the city's internal self-insurance fund.

Mark Schlueb can be reached at [email protected] or 407-420-5417.

SAVING THE FOUNTAIN

Orlando weighs cost to fix failing icon

It's lights out for Lake Eola's landmark fountain

Inside the Lake Eola fountain: Battered. Bruised. Busted.

'We are going to rebuild the Lake Eola fountain better than before'

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