LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG: Chicago's Famous Buckingham Fountain to Get a Facelift!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
We'll, I'm back from Atlanta, and Keller Williams 2008 Annual Family Reunion Conference. What a great time, with great people - in a company with an incredible Business Model for Real Estate Practitioners and Teams. That's why I've been named the Official Lil' White Dog of Keller Williams Real Estate International! What an honor - one to bark about! Woof . . .y'all!
BTW. . . Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Especially, you lovers out there, whether you have four paws, or two!
Got wind while I was out of town that the City of Chicago will renovate the world-famous Buckingham Fountain beginning this fall, through Spring of 2009.
What and where is the Buckingham Fountain?
Located in Grant Park, just west of Lake Michigan and east and a little south of the Chicago Loop, Buckingham Fountain is one of the world's largest and most distinctive fountain designs. It was built in the mid-1920's, and dedicated in 1927, in memory of her late brother, Clarence Buckingham. For facts and figures about this magnificent Chicago landmark, visit the Chicago Park District website.
Still don't remember the fountain - here's a photo taken a few summers ago. Remember the old "Married, With Children" TV show - it's on the opening credits there as well. 
Well, after this coming Labor Day Weekend, a giant tent will be erected around the fountain, and an extensive, $25 Million Dollar renovation of the historic fountain will begin.
The first stage will involve investigating the condition of the structure of the fountain itself, built of Georgia Pink Granite, as well as the original underground wood pilings that support Buckingham Fountain. Many of the pumps that serve the fountain, and produce beautiful sprays and plumes of water each summer, are orginal - over 80 years old - and may need extensive repair or replacement. Special effort will be added to make the pumps more energy efficient.
Buckingham Fountain was last shut down in 1994 and 1995 to restore the fountain's inner basins. This new restoration would foucus on the outer basin, and the surrounding grounds. Decorative stone and staturary would also be repaired and restored, as needed.
The money for the restoration project on Buckingham Fountain is coming from an endowment set up by Kate Sturges Buckingmam when the fountain was dedicated - $300,000 back in 1927, with interest, will cover $8 Million of renovation costs. The balance will come from the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District, as well as private contributions.
Restoration work is timed for next fall, winter, and early spring, when the fountain is typically shut off. Plans call for re-opening the fountain in mid-2009.
That's all cool, folks - because I love when my Human Dad and Mom - Dean's Team Members Dean & Sue Moss - take me down to Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain on a nice, hot summer day. It's been a summertime tradition for us, since I was just a pup!
And, don't worry, folks - I never mess anything up in the surrounding gardens!
See the story on the Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project, and a very impressive night-time shot by Chicago Tribune Photographer Charles Osgood, in today's Chicago Tribune.
If you ever find ourselves in or near the Dean's Team World Headquarters, in a basement on Western Avenue, in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood of Chicago - let us know! I would love to snuggle with you, and sit on your lap! Bark on down!
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
