Community infrastructure design often involves finding the right balance between form and function. This is especially true for the waterfront destination City of St. Joseph, MI, where we are helping the community complete a decades-long sewer separation program to eliminate combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges. Their CSO Final Compliance Program involves the design of a CSO storage facility. While evaluating different facility types with the City’s engineering staff, an unexpected need arose. Offsite restoration of the City’s landmark Maids of the Mist Fountain hit a structural challenge that had to be addressed by the City. Wade Trim provided some structural engineering expertise to help complete the restoration.

Installed in 1892 at Lake Bluff Park, the cast iron fountain features two female sculptures, Constance and Hope, as well as Grecian children and cherubs. Last restored in the 1970’s, the fountain’s central support column was corroded and needed to be reinforced to strengthen its stability as part of overall restoration efforts. Weighing form and function, we designed a concealed, stainless steel column for the various fountain pieces to connect to. This approach enabled structural repairs to be completed internally while maintaining the fountain’s external appearance. Restored by the McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, the fountain has returned to its bluff lookout for all to enjoy.

Community members welcomed their refurbished fountain to Lake Bluff Park at a rededication ceremony on September 17, 2023.