San Francisco Begins Removal of Vaillancourt Fountain, Citing Safety Risks

Key facts

• Crews began work on Monday to remove the Vaillancourt Fountain in San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza.
• The fountain weighs 710 tons and was completed in 1971.
• Removal and storage will cost $4 million and take several months.
• The structure is unstable, corroded, and contains asbestos and lead, posing public safety risks.
• In 1987, U2's Bono spray-painted graffiti on the fountain during a free concert and was cited.
• A preservationist group has sued to keep the fountain in place.
• Spokesperson Tamara Barak Aparton said the fountain is an 'attractive nuisance' and safer in storage.

Dismantling Begins After Years of Debate

Crews started work on Monday to remove the controversial Vaillancourt Fountain from San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza, ending decades of debate over the fate of the massive concrete sculpture. The removal process, which will take several months, began with preparation work including removing grout between arm joints and labeling the fountain's components for potential reassembly later. The decision to dismantle the fountain follows years of controversy and a lawsuit from a preservationist group seeking to keep it in place. The city has cited significant public safety risks caused by deterioration, including structural instability and corrosion.

Public Safety Risks and Hazardous Materials

Tamara Barak Aparton, spokesperson for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, said the fountain is structurally unstable and corroded, posing a danger to the public. She also noted that the sculpture contains asbestos and lead, common in older structures, and has become an 'attractive nuisance' that draws people into unsafe areas. 'Having it in storage will be significantly safer than having it out in a public square,' Barak Aparton said. The removal and storage of the fountain will cost $4 million, a sum the city has allocated for the project.

A Controversial Landmark Since 1971

Created by sculptor Armand Vaillancourt, the fountain was completed in 1971 and has been a source of contention ever since. Its brutalist design has drawn both praise and criticism, with some calling it an eyesore and others defending it as a significant piece of public art. The fountain gained notoriety in 1987 when U2 frontman Bono spray-painted graffiti on it during a free concert. He was cited for the act, which added to the sculpture's controversial legacy.

Mixed Reactions from Residents and Business Owners

San Francisco resident Alec Bash expressed relief at the fountain's removal, calling it an eyesore that has become 'out of place, out of context, out of time.' He recalled that it had once been a 'wonderful site-specific art installation' but now feels outdated. Business owners Mike Stephens and Nigel Kennedy shared mixed emotions. Stephens, who owns Mike's Barbershop, remembered skateboarding in the plaza in the 1990s and described the fountain as 'kind of a little ugly, but it has an iconic memory.' Kennedy, of Pro Style Barber Shop, said he is sad to see it go but open to new opportunities that might bring more business.

Legal Challenge and Future of the Plaza

A preservationist group has filed a lawsuit to block the removal, arguing that the fountain is a historic landmark that should be preserved in place. The lawsuit adds a layer of uncertainty to the project, though the city has proceeded with dismantling while the case is pending. The city has not announced specific plans for the site after the fountain's removal, but the plaza is expected to be redeveloped. The fountain's components will be stored, leaving open the possibility of reassembly elsewhere, though no location has been confirmed.

A Costly and Lengthy Removal Process

The entire removal process will take several months, with the city spending $4 million to dismantle and store the 710-ton structure. The work began with preparation, including labeling parts for potential future reconstruction. Officials have emphasized that safety is the primary driver, but the cost and complexity of the operation highlight the challenges of managing aging public art. The fountain's fate now rests on the outcome of the preservationist lawsuit and future city planning.

The bottom line

• The Vaillancourt Fountain is being removed due to structural instability, corrosion, and hazardous materials like asbestos and lead.
• The removal and storage will cost $4 million and take several months.
• A preservationist group has sued to keep the fountain in place, adding legal uncertainty.
• The fountain, completed in 1971, has been controversial since its creation and was famously vandalized by Bono in 1987.
• Residents and business owners have mixed feelings, with some mourning its loss and others welcoming new development.
• The fountain's components are being labeled for potential reassembly, but no future location has been determined.