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Previously the Singing Fountain at East Passyunk Avenue and 11th and Tasker streets was nice to view, but was not a place where residents and visitors would congregate since the iron fence cut off access to the centerpiece and no benches were available on the strip of land in the midst of the busy avenue.
But with Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp.’s recent renovations such as tearing down the fence and adding amenities such as benches, a chess table and lighting, the centerpiece has attracted more residents than before. The revamped fountain will be rededicated 8 tonight in a ceremony that will also feature finger foods from nearby restaurants such as Paradiso, 1627 E. Passyunk Ave., and Izumi, 1601 E. Passyunk Ave., as well as sangria, beer and wine. However, residents already have been enjoying the benefits of the corporation’s efforts.
Billy Fulginiti, of 13th and Morris streets, usually travels to the new niche for about an hour or two after dinner to relax.
“This is my third time here already this week and it’s only Tuesday,” Fulginiti said as he rested on a park bench two nights ago.
Gloria Endres grew on the 1600 block of East Passyunk Avenue — just blocks from where the spring now sits. Although a fence has surrounded the fountain for about seven years since its creation, she is among the residents that prefer it without.
“It was protecting the fountain, but it precluded any access and no one could sit down,” she said touching on the addition of benches as well.
After talks with the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District and area civics, Sam Sherman, who heads the nonprofit that owns the parcel of land, wanted to evolve the area into a meeting spot for neighbors, shoppers and restaurant patrons alike.
“The change was made because it was such a great asset to the avenue, but with the fence around it, it wasn’t a great gathering place,” he said noting the need for a rest stop for locals to chat and enjoy the fountain.
The removal of the fencing, which was donated to Cantina Los Caballitos, 1651 E. Passyunk Ave., along with three pear trees, and installed Wednesday morning around its outside dining area, was a needed change, Sherman said.
“It sent the wrong message,” he said. “The neighborhood isn’t safe. We don’t trust you to behave. It’s not yours.”
When 17 trees were planted along the avenue including six around the fountain March 31, the corporation initiated its upgrade and renovation to the area.
“The fountain is essentially new. It took us almost three months to finish it, but I think it was worth the wait,” Sherman, who was named as the corporation’s executive director Jan. 18, said.
The fountain was taken apart, rebuilt, waterproofed, resealed and cleaned with the pumps and plumbing replaced last week. The nonprofit added four benches plus a chess table with two additional benches. LED lights, which were tested last night, have been placed on two nearby buildings. In addition to increased police surveillance, the nonprofit also hired a security guard to watch the area midnight to 4 a.m. daily. Costs have added up to $60,000 thus far with a $75,000 final price tag that will include more landscaping and a watering service occurring three times a week.
“It’s going to be a work in progress,” Sherman said. “Hopefully every time someone walks by the fountain it looks better.”
Almost two years ago, the Singing Fountain was in disarray and the community had to hold a fundraiser to pay for maintenance and repairs due to ongoing litigation involving Citizens’ Alliance for Better Neighborhoods that owned the land and its centerpiece before it relaunched into the current avenue corporation with a smaller focus.
During that time of uncertainty, the avenue’s business improvement district stepped up along with Lynn Rinaldi, owner of Paradiso, until the corporation took over in January.
“It’s a really positive change,” Renee Gilinger, the district’s main street manager, said. “The fountain is not something I have ever planned to be involved in. I’ve learned a lot about pumps and how to fix broken lights and I’m really glad I don’t’ have to do either anymore.”
With the corporation taking the reins of what Citizens’ Alliance left behind, residents are able to now sit back and relax.
“It’s really inviting people to come and sit there and talk to their neighbors. In the past, it has helped to serve that purpose,” Christine Knapp, Passyunk Square Civic Association president, said noting events held at the fountain such as the weekly farmers market on Wednesdays, “but this is going to be an enhanced version. It won’t take a special event to make that a central point. It can happen on a regular basis.”
And for longtime residents like Endres, who now resides at 11th and Tasker streets and remembers its previous uses that have included a steak shop and gas station, it has a special touch to the community.
“It makes me feel as if I’m in Rome,” she said. “I think it adds class to the neighborhood.”
Even residents seeing it for the first time are impressed. Jen DiCesare noticed the lack of a fence enclosing the fountain for the first time Tuesday evening
“I never really did [sit by the fountain],” the resident of 12th and Mifflin streets said, “because I guess the fence was a little intrusive, so maybe I’ll sit and throw a penny in.” SPR
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
To see photos of the rededication, visit the photo gallery.
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