Tivoli Fountain repairs to bring water and energy savings in long term, pedestrian access and noise impacts in short term

OLYMPIA – People visiting the state Capitol Campus will be able to see Tivoli Fountain water displays again following a repair project that will also update the popular campus attraction's operational systems to use less water and energy and require less maintenance.

The Department of Enterprise Services will start readying the fountain for repairs this week, with actual construction work beginning Monday, Feb. 13.

The fountain, northeast of the State Capitol Building at the center of the Great Lawn, is one of the first things people see when they approach to the historic West Capitol Campus along Capitol Way. The fountain traditionally operated annually between April 1 and Oct. 30, but in recent years its operation has been delayed, sporadic, or halted entirely due to unexplained water loss, functional and mechanical problems, and drought conditions. Significant work is required to fix the 64-year old fountain's failing piping and mechanical systems.

Project impacts

During the project, there will be pedestrian access as well as noise impacts.

Enterprise Services and its contractor are working to minimize sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours throughout the project. However, due to safety considerations, the oval walkway around the fountain will be blocked on the southeast side.

Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the south side of the South Diagonal as well as the sidewalk along Capitol Way to avoid this closure area.

Flaggers will be present to secure the safety of pedestrians when construction-related vehicles enter and exit the area on the days when materials are being delivered to the site.

Between Feb. 15 and March 7, the fountain's concrete basin floors will be removed, which will require noisy jackhammering. When re-poured, the basin floors will be set significantly higher, so that the fountain will require approximately one-third less water to fill and operate.

More project details

The $757,000 repair project also will:

  • Reduce water loss due to evaporation with new, water efficient focused spray nozzles and jets.
  • Replace old lighting with new, energy efficient LED lighting.
  • Replace aging and leaky pipes with new piping that will be configured for more efficient operation.
  • Reduce maintenance such as improving filtration to prevent clogging and corrosion.
  • Update the fountain's electrical system to operate more efficiently and be located away from the water.

About the fountain

The repairs will not alter historic and character-defining elements of the fountain. These will be retained, so that its look and feel does not change, including choreography of water displays. The fountain's sprays alternately rise and fall together, creating five different artistic water displays as originally designed.

Enterprise Services is responsible for the care and maintenance of the memorials and works of art on the Capitol Campus, which help tell the story of the state's rich history and culture and hold significant meaning for many people.

The Tivoli Fountain is among the oldest features of the West Campus grounds, second only to the Winged Victory WWI memorial. The fountain is a replica of the Tivoli Fountain in Tivoli Park, Copenhagen, Denmark. It was a gift to the state of Washington from the Olympia-Tumwater Foundation in 1953.

Sign up to receive Capitol Campus Updates via email or text message.

Follow Enterprise Services on Twitter.

Learn more about Visitor Services on Facebook.

Like Enterprise Services on Facebook.