San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza is experiencing some restrictive changes as the Vaillancourt Fountain, a brutalist spectacle that has divided public opinion, becomes subject to new safety measures. A report sharply outlines the sculpture's current hazards, leading city officials to order its closure to public interaction. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the fountain is fenced off starting today, following the findings from an independent report deeming it dangerous due to structural deterioration and toxic materials like asbestos and lead.
The problems do not end there; besides being non-operational due to a failed pump, key components like support structures are cracked or missing, making the fountain a gamble rather than a gambol. As per the San Francisco Chronicle, park department spokesperson Tamara Aparton described the fountain as "cracked, corroded and missing key supports," forcing the hand of the city to intervene and protect the public.
While aficionados of the iconic concrete structure may lament its closure, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department insists that the closure's sole objective is public safety. As officials reported to KRON4, "This report made it clear that is no longer safe."
