Vaillancourt Fountain Removal and Preservation Dispute

planned for removal

The Vaillancourt Fountain, a 54-year-old Brutalist concrete sculpture located in Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, is the subject of a legal dispute. The city plans to remove the fountain citing safety risks and prohibitive maintenance costs, including a $29 million estimated cost to restore it. The fountain's creator, Armand Vaillancourt, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to prevent its demolition and is prepared to take legal action. The fountain has been fenced off and without running water for months. The city estimates removal costs at $2.5 million and repair of the pump alone at $3 million. Preservationists and cultural organizations advocate for its preservation due to its historical and cultural significance, especially in the skateboarding community.