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Statues removed from Plaza’s iconic J.C. Nichols Fountain

By ROBERT A. CRONKLETON

The Kansas City Star
The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain is undergoing major renovation this winter. Crews from Artworks of Kansas City and Belger Cartage Service, Inc., completed the work, which involved removing the four large sculptures Wednesday afternoon on the Country Club Plaza. In addition to the restoration of the sculptures, the fountain interior will be repaired, and a waterproof coating applied. Damaged coping stones around the fountain will also be replaced. The fountain, which was dedicated in 1960, will be unveiled on Fountain Day, April 14, 2015.
The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain is undergoing major renovation this winter. Crews from Artworks of Kansas City and Belger Cartage Service, Inc., completed the work, which involved removing the four large sculptures Wednesday afternoon on the Country Club Plaza. In addition to the restoration of the sculptures, the fountain interior will be repaired, and a waterproof coating applied. Damaged coping stones around the fountain will also be replaced. The fountain, which was dedicated in 1960, will be unveiled on Fountain Day, April 14, 2015. RICH SUGG The Kansas City Star

Crews carefully wrapped yellow straps around one of the horses at the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain on the Country Club Plaza Wednesday morning.

With a gentle lift by a crane, the statute popped loose and workers slowly guided it to wooden pallets, onto which it was smoothly lowered.

The sculptures were removed as part of a major renovation this winter of one of Kansas City’s most photographed fountains.

The concrete bases that support the sculptures will be replaced and the interior of the fountain will be repaired and cleaned. A waterproof coating will be applied.

The project is expected to be completed next year in time for Fountain Day on April 14.

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Statues removed from Plaza’s iconic J.C. Nichols Fountain."

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