South End Answers: When Will Blackstone Square's Fountain Be Restored?

In this week's column of "," a feature where we find the answers to your questions, a reader asked, "When will the restoration of the fountain in Blackstone Square be complete?"

The short answer is: Mid-May.

The long answer: Due to the amount of snowstorms this winter, the original timeline for excavation and construction had to be pushed back. The plans call to build a seven-foot square vault under the fountain that will house a new pumping system to filter and recycle water through the fountain.

The project's cost runs somewhere around $625,000, but the new pump system will save a significant amount of money in the long run, according to Courtney Troutman, president of the Friends of Blackstone and Frankin Square Parks. 

Previously the water in the fountain came in through the city's line, then when right down the drain. 

"Just the idea of the water going down the drain was terrible, and that was going on for years and years," Troutman said. "And the cast iron fountain will be restored. Before it was just a little dribble, and I think the whole basin will be filled with water, so it wil be much improved and will be really beautiful." 

So there you have it! I hope that answered your question.

Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today!

SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates