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Board advances $10,000 testing phase for airport fountain conservation
Summary
The board reported a Pacific Coast Conservation proposal of about $9,100 for initial testing and spot treatments on the airport fountain and agreed to authorize up to $10,000 for that phase; work is planned for mid-May and staff raised concerns about corroded plumbing and clogged strainers.
The board’s airport-fountain committee reported a signed proposal with Pacific Coast Conservation to perform initial testing and spot treatments for the fountain. The contractor’s quoted work was described as "right around 9,100 and some dollars," and the committee said the approval was to spend "up to 10,000 for this initial testing phase." Work was scheduled for the week of May 15.
Committee members described the contractor’s recommended approach as targeted spot treatments, adding weep holes and fills, and delaying any full removal of previous epoxy coatings because removal could risk taking original terracotta material. Staff and committee members also noted plumbing and nozzle issues: a city staffer recommended replacing corroded plumbing and nozzles after the contractor’s testing; another member said the fountain’s strainer and pump-clogging were recurrent operational issues that affect nozzle performance. The city reportedly spent roughly $2,000 last year on plumbing repairs.
Why it matters: the fountain is a prominent historic feature that has experienced spalling and corrosion; an initial testing phase will provide evidence to guide longer-term conservation work, but the board and staff emphasized caution to avoid damaging original fabric.
What’s next: Pacific Coast Conservation will perform testing in mid-May; staff will inspect plumbing components and consult additional fountain specialists as needed before committing to broader restoration work.
