Overview

LiRo-Hill is providing MEP, civil, and structural engineering design services for the renovation and restoration of the Grand Army Plaza South and Pulitzer Fountain. The existing fountain is an iconic structure constructed in 1916 at the south-east corner of Central Park. The renovation work will improve utilities, drainage, pavement, site furnishing, plantings, and update fountain mechanical systems.

About the Project

The fountain will be fully restored with new mechanical pumping and filtration systems, electrical service upgrades, new lighting, structural repairs to the concrete basin slabs, waterproofing replacement, and restoration of the granite stone panels and bronze statue. The surrounding site will be renovated with new trees, decorative bluestone and exposed aggregate concrete, and planting areas. Improvements to the existing grading and site drainage, per CPC’s direction, were formalized by LiRo-Hill’s civil team. LiRo-Hill additionally provided consulting services to assist the Owner with various regulatory approvals including the MTA, DOB, and DEP. LiRo-Hill provided MEP, civil, structural, support of excavation, vibration monitoring, and underpinning drawings as part of its design and scope. A SWPPP report was prepared and submitted.

Project Challenges & Solutions

Access limitations to the existing mechanical spaces beneath the existing fountain led to the development of several alternatives to construct an enlarged tunnel to the vault space beneath the existing fountain for pricing and selection of an appropriate cost-effective solution. The new reinforced concrete tunnel allows for more effective replacement and restoration of existing mechanical systems beneath the fountain and will provide staff with safe access to perform routine maintenance in the future.