San Francisco Arts Commission Approves $4.4M Removal of Vaillancourt Fountain Over Safety Concerns

The San Francisco Arts Commission voted 8-5 to remove the Vaillancourt Fountain from Embarcadero Plaza due to structural deterioration and public safety concerns. The 701-ton brutalist fountain, created by Armand Vaillancourt in 1971, has suffered from cracked concrete, corrosion, failed waterproofing, and no longer meets seismic and safety standards; its water feature ceased functioning after the last pump failed. Removal and storage are estimated to cost around $4.4 million, with renovation projected at $29 million, far exceeding the park's overall $32.5 million budget for redevelopment. The fountain will be disassembled and stored off-site for up to three years for further investigation, with possible future restoration or repurposing yet undecided. The decision has sparked controversy, with supporters and the artist advocating for preservation, while city officials emphasize the urgent safety hazards, including vandalism and structural risks. The removal is part of a broader plan to renovate Embarcadero Plaza and merge it with adjacent Sue Bierman Park.