Ira Kellers Forecourt Fountain - Portland, Oregon
Posted by: 
howarthe
N 45° 30.753 W 122° 40.731
10T E 525084 N 5039940
Keller Fountain is meant to resemble naturrally occuring waterfalls, streams and pools. Visitors are warned to be careful. Slippery surfaces, rapidly moving water and high dropoffs are exciting and dangerous.
Waymark Code: WM7FGQ
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 10/19/2009
Views: 4
This fountain was proposed by Lawrence Halprin, a well-known San Franciscan architect who designed the Lovejoy Fountain a few years earlier. It was designed by Angela Danadjieva and built by Michael Lawrence in 1971.
Originally named the Forecourt Fountain, this fountain is located in the open area in front of the entrance to Portland's Civic Auditorium.
In architecture a forecourt is an open area in front of a structure's entrance.
In 1978, the fountain was renamed after Ira C. Keller (1899-1978), civic leader and first chairman of the Portland Development Commission (1958-72). Keller pushed through the renewal plan for the South Auditorium area of downtown which included the construction of the Forecourt Fountain. It has been said that "it was Keller's enormous energy that made urban renewal work in Portland."
The fountain pumps 13,000 gallons per minute and holds 75,000 gallons of water.
The Portland Water Bureau works rigorously to maintain the fountain. In the mid - 1990s a major restoration costing nearly 3 quarters of a million dollars to address the problems of the fountain related to old age. The Portland Water Bureau restored loose rock on the surfaces of the block and brought the electrical components up to code. They upgraded the chlorination system so it was automated and could keep chlorine levels consistent with what is in swimming pools. In 2005, the operating engineers of the Portland Water Bureau worked on the pumps and motors while the fountain was off for the winter season. The work of the Bureau’s engineers reduced electricity needed to keep water moving by 17% last season.
The Portland Water Bureau maintains 16 fountains around town. If you are trying to "collect" all of Portland's fountains, the following list may be helpful.
- Skidmore Fountain
- Elk Fountain
- Salmon Street Springs
- The Dreamer
- Ira Kellers Forecourt Fountain
- Lovejoy Fountain
- Chimeny Fountain
- Animals in Pools
- McCoy Fountain
- Holladay Park Fountain
- Kelly Fountain
- Pioneer Courthouse Square Waterfall
- Shemanski Fountain
- O-Bryant Square
- Jamison Square
- Benson Bubblers