ORLANDO, Fla. — The Lake Eola fountain in downtown Orlando is being dismantled this week to make way for a major makeover.
City paperwork indicates the fountain will be up and running in time for the fireworks on the July 4, but until then, the water has stopped and construction will soon get started.
A week ago, workers began demolishing parts of the Lake Eola fountain in order to start the major renovation work. The repairs are required because of a lightning strike in 2009 that killed the power and the flow of water to the fountain. The green shell, which has deteriorated significantly since it was built more than five decades ago, is just one of the things that will be fixed, along with the pumping system. Colored lights that can be choreographed to music will be added.
Last summer, the city picked Freeport Fountains to make the necessary repairs at a cost of $1.5 million. But Orlando resident Maureen Vanbeurkering said, "There are other ways I would've spent the money."
Four other companies put in bids for the contract, but the city went with the cheapest. Over the next few weeks, workers will continue to remove the old pieces, and a city spokeswoman said the company has already been ordering new parts.