The Ira Keller Forecourt Fountain is located in central Portland. This fountain was inspired by the area’s waterfalls. Michael Lawrence Halprin designed and built the Ira Keller Forecourt Fountain in 1971. This was named then after the man who brought urban renewal to the great city of Portland. This Urban oasis pumps 13,000 gallons per minute to entertainment business people, families, and everyone else who walks by or stops by.
Located directly across from Portland’s City Auditorium, this fountains holds 75,000 gallons of water and 13,000 gallons of water cascades through this fountain.
What is interesting is that sightseers have been warned to use caution while enjoying this fountain.
The streams and waterfalls, slippery surfaces, rapidly moving water, pools of water, and high drop-offs require careful and meticulous attention. Passersby are told to stay back from edges to due to the hazards of falling into the fountain. The Portland Water Bureau works rigorously to make sure that the fountain today is true to the spirit of Lawrence Halprin’s vision. 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. Because the blocks had shifted and there were some very major leaks. The bureau project restored the blocks to their original configuration and grouted between them.
The Bureau also brought the electrical components up to code, updated the lighting fixtures, and upgraded the chlorination system so it was automated and could keep chlorine levels consistent with what is in swimming pools to protect public health.
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. Accordingly, this has been very good for the environment and city ratepayers.
