Friendship fountain set to get total revamp

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local landmark is set to get a major face-lift this spring. DIA is hoping to turn Friendship Fountain into a mini Las Vegas Bellagio fountain display.

It's just one of a few projects already underway to beautify icons in Jacksonville.

The upgrades include new lights, water jets and speakers, as well as taking down the wall that surrounds the fountain

It's a project locals can get behind.

Local dad Eric Keeton says, "I would definitely bring my daughter down here more if that was down there."

"It looks awesome I think it will bring a lot more people to downtown. It will be a new attraction," explains another Jacksonville parent, Nadia Nesterova.

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Nesterova and her daughter Valerie walk by the fountains every week. They love getting some fresh air outside, but she says the fountain is definitely due for an upgrade.

"I think it could look a little better. It's boring, honestly, it's not that great looking for Jacksonville." 
 
And the city agrees, which is why they've already put aside more than $2.1 million this year to do a complete makeover. 
 
But the fountain isn't the only landmark that's getting a face-lift. JTA has already started their $2.6 million project to revamp the lighting on Acosta Bridge.

LED lights that will be able to change color, like teal during Jaguars games. JTA says they're hoping to have them installed before July 4, 2020.

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