S.F.'s controversial fountain deemed ‘hazardous' and will be fenced off indefinitely
San Francisco officials ordered Vaillancourt Fountain on Embarcadero Plaza to be fenced off indefinitely Monday morning after a new report concluded that its crumbling condition poses a public safety risk.
Construction of the fence, scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Monday and continue throughout the week, cast new doubt on the massive artwork's future as a major renovation of the plaza gets underway.
The blocky, 710-ton sculpture has been a lightning rod for public opinion for more than a half-century, but it was a draw for parkgoers who darted through its gushing water and for skateboarders who plied its famed stairs and ledges.
But a pump failure has left the fountain dry for the past year, and the closure seeks to prevent anyone from climbing on the interactive structure or even getting close to it.
It comes as a result of an independent report commissioned by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which manages Embarcadero Plaza, as officials consider how to treat the fountain as part of the planned $30 million plaza renovation.
The 122-page assessment issued last week by architecture firm Page & Turnbull found that the 55-year-old public art is corroding and deteriorating, contains toxic materials including asbestos and lead, and fails to meet seismic safety codes. Based on those findings, Recreation and Park staff judged the sculpture unsafe for the public to interact with and for structural maintenance workers to get inside and repair.
'The fountain isn't just falling apart — it's hazardous,' said Recreation and Park spokesperson Tamara Aparton. 'The structure is cracked, corroded and missing key supports. Add lead and asbestos to the mix, and it's a serious safety risk. That's why we're fencing it off now, to protect the public while longer term decisions are made.'
The new steel mesh security fencing will be 3½ feet tall on the Market Street side, so people can still lean over it and look at the sculpture. In the back, on the Embarcadero side, it will connect to an existing 6-foot-tall fence.
The reinforced concrete artwork by Canadian sculptor Armand Vaillancourt, completed in 1971, is part of San Francisco's Civic Art Collection, and any final decision about its fate will be determined by the Arts Commission after public hearings and possibly a vote by the Board of Supervisors.
The city is in the planning and design phase for an ambitious new park that will combine Embarcadero Plaza and the adjacent Sue Bierman Park in a space spanning 5 acres, twice the size of Union Square.
Since the release of a preliminary rendering of the park that omitted the fountain, Vaillancourt and architectural preservationists have been lobbying for it to stay put.
The report, which included structural analysis by DCI Engineers and hazardous materials testing by North Tower Environmental, did not specify the cost of bringing the fountain up to code and restoring the water element. Rec and Park estimates the cost to fully renovate the artwork, inside and out, at $12 million to $17 million, with ongoing maintenance costs of $100,000 per year.
Boosters of Brutalist architecture and other preservationists have been lobbying on the fountain's behalf, and in May, the 95-year-old Vaillancourt made a trip from his home in Montreal to meet with staff of both the Arts Commission and Rec and Park to plead for his sculpture's preservation.
'They made the new plan, and my monumental sculpture is not there,' Vaillancourt told the Chronicle during a visit to his namesake work. 'I'm here to save that piece of art.'
The fountain is 40 feet tall, and Vaillancourt told the Chronicle it is anchored 40 feet down. It survived the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which severely damaged the adjacent Embarcadero Freeway, forcing that structure's demolition. The sculptor argued that cleaning and repairing the fountain would return it to its original glory and keep it sound for another century. He also said the fountain is immobile, and demolishing it would cost more than it would to fix it.
But the technical report tells a different story. It states that the fountain sits on bay mud and infill and does not meet seismic safety standards. In a major earthquake, 'The structure is likely to yield and deform beyond that deformation already apparent in some of the stress cracking in the concrete,' it says.
The report also states that parts of the interior support structure are corroded or missing, and asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint were found in parts of the sculpture, including the pump room.
Mechanical and electrical systems 'are beyond their serviceable life' and would need to be replaced, it says.
Disassembling and reassembling the fountain would be 'feasible,' the report says, but 'require substantial effort and time' to perform. The job would be complicated by the large machinery needed to stabilize and move the concrete tubes, and the dangers to workers who would have to climb in and around the pipes to cut them — as well as the precautions needed to prevent asbestos exposure.
'Overall, Vaillancourt exhibits a range of deterioration that must be addressed for the fountain to be enjoyed safely,' the report summary reads.
'That said,' it concludes, 'the fountain does not appear yet to have deteriorated beyond repair, though certain systems and components have, and there may be a variety of approaches to treatment to be explored in future phases that could stabilize and restore it.'
In the meantime, Aparton said, 'the bottom line is that the fountain is no longer safe to approach or interact with.'
Arts Commission spokesperson Coma Te concurred. 'Given the findings presented in the structural report, public safety comes first,' he said in an email. 'The Arts Commission supports Rec and Park's decision to secure the area as they work to complete planning and design work for the plaza.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Avoid the OAS Clawback: Dividend Strategies Every Retiree Should Know
Written by Kay Ng at The Motley Fool Canada For many Canadian retirees, the Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a welcome source of income. But for those with moderate to high retirement income, the OAS clawback — officially known as the OAS recovery tax — can reduce or even eliminate this benefit. Fortunately, with the right dividend strategies, retirees can build a reliable income stream while minimizing their exposure to the clawback. As of 2025, the OAS clawback begins when your net income exceeds $93,454. For every dollar above this threshold, you lose $0.15 of OAS benefits. This can result in thousands of dollars in lost income annually. Net income, for tax purposes, includes interest income, Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) withdrawals, and even capital gains. However, eligible Canadian dividends (and income or gains received inside a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)) — can provide tax-efficient income and help retirees avoid hitting that clawback threshold. Dividends from Canadian corporations benefit from the dividend tax credit, which significantly reduces the effective tax rate for your Canadian dividend income compared to interest income or RRIF withdrawals. This makes Canadian dividend stocks an essential part of any OAS-conscious retirement strategy. Even better, dividends, interests, and gains earned inside a TFSA are completely tax-free — they don't count as income for OAS purposes at all. TELUS (TSX:T) is a dividend stock worthy for retirees to take a closer look at. As one of Canada's Big Three telecom providers, TELUS offers stable cash flows and a strong track record of returning capital to shareholders. Dividend yield: Currently, TELUS offers a dividend yield of approximately 7.5% — well above the Canadian stock market yield of about 2.7%. Payout frequency: TELUS pays dividends quarterly, giving retirees regular, reliable income. Dividend growth: TELUS tends to increase its dividend semi-annually. Last month, it just announced a new plan, targeting annual dividend growth of 3-8% from 2026 through 2028. Sector stability: High debt levels and capital-intensive investments are a common theme in the telecom sector. As well, the sector is faced with increasing competition and pricing pressure. That said, TELUS continues to generate substantial operating cash flows. Furthermore, it targets a long-term payout ratio that's 60-75% of its free cash flow. For retirees looking to build a dependable income stream without pushing their net income into OAS clawback territory, TELUS is a solid idea. Use a TFSA first: If you have excess room in your TFSA, you can consider holding some big-dividend stocks like TELUS in your TFSA to keep that income out of your taxable net income. Otherwise, hold big-dividend Canadian stocks in your non-registered account to enjoy the dividend tax credit. Delay RRSP withdrawals. Consider delaying RRIF conversions until age 72, and in the meantime, draw from non-registered accounts or the TFSA. Split pension income. If you have a spouse, pension income splitting can lower one's income and reduce the chance of hitting the clawback threshold. Limit interest-heavy investments. Guaranteed Investment Certificates and bond interest are fully taxable and can quickly drive up net income. Favour eligible dividends instead if it makes sense for your situation. Watch capital gains. Selling stocks with large unrealized gains in a non-registered account could push you into clawback territory. Aim to harvest capital gains strategically in non-registered accounts or target these gains in your TFSA. The OAS clawback is a real risk for many Canadian retirees — but with a smart dividend strategy, it can be minimized or even avoided entirely. Dividend stocks like TELUS, when held in tax-efficient accounts, can provide steady income without the tax drag. By planning carefully and making tax-smart investment decisions, you can protect both your OAS benefits and your retirement lifestyle. The post Avoid the OAS Clawback: Dividend Strategies Every Retiree Should Know appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Kay Ng has a position in TELUS. The Motley Fool recommends TELUS. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025
Business Insider
7 hours ago
- Business Insider
Tesla officially launches robotaxis in Austin to a small group of users, charging a $4.20 flat fee per ride
On a balmy Sunday in Austin, Tesla fans awaited the promise of the future. After a few hours of delays, that promise finally came true, and a select group took their first rides, livestreaming their experience. While Tesla robotaxis are meant to be fully autonomous, Tesla employees were still present in the passenger seat of the cars for safety reasons. Earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased the launch of the robotaxi, a driverless Tesla Model Y emblazoned with its namesake in Cybertruck-style font. "Beautifully simple design," Musk wrote on X. "These are unmodified Tesla cars coming straight from the factory, meaning that every Tesla coming out of our factories is capable of unsupervised self-driving," he added. On Sunday, Musk said the first Tesla robotaxi rides would be available for a flat fee of $4.20. A small group of invited users was the first to try them out. Tesla fans buzzed on social media in the lead-up to the official launch, which was initially delayed as users awaited the release of the official Tesla robotaxi app. "We are approaching the window where we expected to have the app and showing everything," Chuck Cook, one of the early invitees to try the Tesla robotaxi, said on X. "There looks like there will be a small delay in the distribution of the app for couple hours." Tesla AI, the division behind the robotaxis, said Sunday on X that Tesla robotaxis will eventually be deployed anywhere they are approved and are designed for "scalability." "It does not require expensive, specialized equipment or extensive mapping of service areas. It just works," the company said. The company launched a website where users can sign up for early access when the service becomes available in their area. It also launched an X feed dedicated to Tesla robotaxis. With the launch of Tesla robotaxis, Austin continued to solidify itself as a new theater for Silicon Valley's race to shape the new age of driverless transportation. In March, Google-backed Waymo launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in partnership with Uber. Waabi, a Canadian startup backed by Uber and Nvidia, is set to launch fully autonomous trucks in Texas this year. Zoox, backed by Amazon, opened its first robotaxi serial production facility in Austin last week. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Best Cities To Live in Right Now
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Denmark, Australia and Switzerland are home to some of the world's best cities to live in, a new study has shown. Copenhagen has been named the world's most livable city in 2025, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index, displacing Vienna in Austria, which came second after a three-year run at the top. The Danish capital achieved perfect scores of 100 in stability, education, and infrastructure, pushing it from second place to first in a global assessment of 173 cities. The EIU's annual index evaluates cities across 30 indicators grouped into five categories, which include stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. While the average global score remained unchanged from 2024 at 76.1 out of 100, the report noted a persistent decline in global stability, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and civil unrest. "Copenhagen's rise to the top underscores the power of consistent investment in public goods," said Matt Watkins, a public affairs strategist and policy analyst, told Newsweek. He consults cities across the United States and a few other nations on urban development, economic mobility and quality-of-life strategies. Melbourne in Australia placed fourth, continuing its strong performance in the rankings, with two other Australian cities—Sydney and Adelaide—also among the top 10. Other cities filling out the top 10 slots included Auckland in New Zealand, Osaka in Japan, and Vancouver in Canada. Watkins noted: "Livability is a choice. These outcomes do not emerge by chance. They happen when governments commit to universal baselines that ensure quality of life—things like clean public transit in Zurich, affordable child care in Copenhagen, strong public education in Melbourne, and access to green space in Auckland." North American cities overall remained in the highest tier of livability, with all 21 assessed scoring above 80. Two Canadian cities, Calgary and Toronto, also experienced drops. "We have lowered the health care scores for all four Canadian cities in our index," the EIU report noted. All three cities in the United Kingdom in the index—London, Manchester, and Edinburgh—saw their placements fall in the wider ranking due to widespread riots and rising homelessness. Stock image: Houses line the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Stock image: Houses line the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Getty "Walkability is a common thread among the world's most livable cities," Watkins said. "When people can safely and easily walk to schools, grocery stores, parks, and transit, everything else becomes more connected—public health improves; small businesses thrive; emissions drop; and community life flourishes." The EIU highlighted that, while stability declined globally, other aspects of urban life have improved. "Scores for health care, education and infrastructure all saw marginal improvements on average," the report said. Cities in the Middle East and North Africa region showed the most-notable gains, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, due to significant advancements in health care and education. Watkins emphasized that high-quality infrastructure alone isn't what makes a city truly livable. "What makes a city truly livable is not just infrastructure, but connection," he said. He added: "The most-livable cities foster a sense of belonging—through public spaces that invite gathering; services that reduce isolation; and policies that help people put down roots. Whether it is Vienna's cultural investment or Vancouver's focus on inclusivity, these cities recognize that social cohesion is as important to well-being as hospitals and transit lines." Watkins added that the world's most-livable cities succeed because they treat livability as a public mandate. He said: "These places remind us that good governance is not just about efficiency; it is about creating conditions where people can move freely, connect easily, and live with dignity." Top 10 Most Liveable Cities 1. Copenhagen, Denmark 2. Vienna, Austria 3. Zurich, Switzerland 4. Melbourne, Australia 5. Geneva, Switzerland 6. Sydney, Australia 7. Osaka, Japan 8. Auckland, New Zealand 9. Adelaide, Australia 10. Vancouver, Canada Source: A ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) based on an assessment of 30 indicators grouped into five categories, including stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
