Centennial Fountain

Coordinates: 41°53′19.85″N 87°37′3.39″W / 41.8888472°N 87.6176083°W / 41.8888472; -87.6176083

The Centennial Fountain water arc.
The fountain waterfall as seen from across the Chicago River.

Nicholas J Melas Centennial Fountain is located on the north bank of the Chicago River at McClurg Court in Near North Side, Chicago.[1] It was dedicated in 1989, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, perhaps best known for its major achievement in reversing the flow of the Chicago River in 1900;[2] and in 1999, this system was named a "Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium" by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).[3]

The fountain is designed by Lohan Associates, architects. Every hour, on the hour, the fountain shoots a massive water arc across the river from a modernist tiered waterfall for 10 minutes.[4]

The fountain was named after Nicholas J. Melas who was elected in 1962 to the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Melas was re-elected 5 times, serving for 30 years; the last 18 as President of the Board.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Centennial Fountain". Chicago Metropolitan Reclamation District. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Centennial Fountain". Emporis. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  3. ↑ American Society of Civil Engineers. "Chicago Wastewater System". Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  4. ↑ Jyoti. "Streeterville: Nicholas J Melas Centennial Plaza and Fountain". Public Art in Chicago. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Board of Commissioners List" (PDF). Chicago Metropolitan Reclamation District. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Water District's Melas Rates Farewell Salute." Chicago Sun-Times. Raymond R. Coffey. November 15, 1992


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