Water feature design

The water feature was part of the public square's original design approved in 2007. It was delayed due to budget constraints and the unknown impacts of the coming ION construction at the square. Crystal Fountains Inc. was retained in 2020 to complete the detailed architectural design of the water feature, and WalterFedy Inc. was retained in 2021 to complete the detailed structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering design, and Ghent Landscape received the tender for construction.

The water feature will follow a similar shape to the existing garden in front of Beertown. Instead of a garden, it will be a water wall with a series of cascading pools. Some of the required plumbing and electrical work were put into place when the square was constructed, and some additional work is needed to be done to ready it for the new water feature. While construction is happening, the area immediately in front of Beertown will be fenced off, and pedestrians will need to access the main steps in front of the Shops entrance or use the ramp along the south end of the square. For a small portion of time, work will need to extend out towards King Street, and pedestrians will have to detour along the Laurel Trail out to King Street to get around this corner.