Restoration operate on the historic Kenan Fountain in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina resumed Monday, prompting the reinstallation of traffic control barriers around the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, according to the City of Wilmington.
The project, valued at $285,000, began in November 2025 and is now slated for completion by the end of April, city officials stated. While the surrounding area will remain accessible, drivers and pedestrians should anticipate minor adjustments near the intersection during the construction phase.
The Kenan Fountain, a gift to the city in 1921 from the Kenan family, has been plagued by issues in recent years. It ceased functioning for a year and a half after being struck by a North Carolina Department of Transportation contract worker during a repaving project in 2025, according to reporting from Port City Daily. The fountain is dedicated to William R. Kenan Sr. And his wife, Mary Hargrave Kenan.
Initial estimates for the repairs were significantly higher, around $644,000, encompassing fountain restoration, plumbing replacement, bench repairs, and baluster corrections. However, costs came in roughly $143,000 under the original bid pricing, according to Dave Mayes, the city’s public works director. The NCDOT is covering $98,560 through its insurance claim, with the city responsible for the remaining $285,500 for the accident repairs.
The fountain, crafted from carved limestone sourced from an Indiana quarry, has also been subject to vandalism and vehicular accidents over the years. City staff recommended allocating funds for the repairs to the Wilmington City Council in July 2025, with the NCDOT accident repairs prioritized.