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Conservators test terracotta glaze on airport fountain; board urged to fix water intrusion first
Summary
A preservation consultant is testing materials to repair the airport fountain's failing terracotta glaze; the consultant recommended monitoring and addressing water intrusion and clogged drains before large-scale repairs.
A conservation specialist from Pacific Coast Conservation is onsite testing several products on the airport fountain's terracotta tiles to determine a permeable repair method, the Historic Preservation Board heard. Board members and the consultant reported that both prior epoxy fills and areas of original glaze are failing, complicating a straightforward removal-and-repair strategy.
Kelly Severe reported the consultant is numbering blocks and documenting conditions and said some test fills may be completed this week for monitoring through a freeze-thaw cycle. The consultant cautioned that "it doesn't make sense to put any more money in the future into repairing the fountain and the terracotta itself until we address, like, the water intrusion and the leaking that we know is happening" and recommended further investigation of vault drains and ongoing maintenance plans (SEG 1701-1706, SEG 1740-1745).
Board members asked staff to coordinate with city maintenance to inspect the vault and clogged drains before the fountain is put into regular summer operation; the group discussed identifying plumbers or fountain specialists and potential funding sources (board, city, or bequest) for maintenance versus beautification work.
The board will review the consultant's documentation and monitor the test patches through seasonal cycles before deciding whether to pursue larger repairs or epoxy removal.
