In roundabout way, fountain became an icon

The landmark came to represent Clearwater despite many jokes and accidents. Its rubble now takes on a new life.

By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 26, 2002

[Times photo: Jim Damaske] An aerial photo looks west over the accident-prone Clearwater Beach roundabout, now missing its fountain, which was 20 feet tall and 180 feet across at its widest. The fountain, with its two-story jets, was demolished just shy of its third birthday.

CLEARWATER -- Since its sunset debut in December 1999, the Clearwater Beach roundabout, with its magnificent fountain and two-story jets, has, well, created a splash.

Love it or hate it, the controversial landmark has been the scene of accidents, the target of scorn and the butt of more than a few jokes.

But almost from the beginning, the roundabout has also served as an emblem for Clearwater, a city with few other such grand icons.

This month, the $1.7-million center fountain, shaped like an enormous wedding cake and mocked as the world's biggest birdbath, was demolished just shy of its third birthday.

Former City Manager Mike Roberto had envisioned the fountain as the centerpiece of a majestic entrance to the beach. But maintenance costs soared, averaging $230,000 to $250,000 annually, and the mammoth design blocked sight lines through the accident-prone traffic circle.

As droughts threatened, the fountain was pegged as a senseless drain on drinking water.

It was shut off in August 2001 and has been dry since.

[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford] Lights from automobiles stream around the southeast corner of the controversial Clearwater Beach roundabout Monday night where the fountain once stood. The view of the Pier 60 playground, background, was obscured by the $1.7-million fountain, which was demolished last week.

In the void, crews have placed a carpet of sod, leaving a blank slate for a new public art project, and maybe even a reflecting pool.

It has not been decided what will replace the fountain, which was 20 feet tall and 180 feet across at its widest point.

Torn apart with heavy machinery, the concrete rubble will see a new life when it is recycled for use in the Memorial Causeway Bridge project.

-- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at (727) 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com .

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