Embarcadero Fountain Emergency Project

Completed June 2026

Scope of Work

To address identified risk to public safety from the sculpture, this project carefully disassembled the Embarcadero Fountain (also known as the Vaillancourt Fountain), starting April 2026.

The emergency removal of the sculpture from Embarcadero Plaza was carried out by expert contractors under the supervision of San Francisco Public Works, the Recreation and Park Department, and in consultation with the Arts Commission. Silverado Contractors led the disassembly and transport while Architectural Resources Group (ARG) served as the technical preservation consultant.

The project proceeded in clearly defined phases, each designed to ensure the fountain was documented, handled, and removed with professional rigor while prioritizing safety.

• Starting in April 2026, documentation, photography and labeling pieces of the structure to facilitate reassembly later..
• Starting in May 2026, crews and preservation experts test and refine removal methods on one or two of the sculpture’s arms. Following this exploration phase, the project transitioned to removal of the remaining elements.

CAUTION: The structure contained hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead. Unauthorized members of the public are not permitted on the project site.

Background

The Embarcadero Fountain was removed due to significant public safety risks caused by its deterioration, including structural instability, widespread corrosion, and missing reinforcement, which weakened the structure and increased the risk of failure during an earthquake. Of particular concern, one of the 10-ton cantilevered arms was resting on another arm—something it was not designed to do—resulting in visible stress cracks.

Since May 2024, the fountain was inoperable due to the failure of its last remaining pump. Following a conditions assessment and structural evaluation, the City was granted an emergency exemption from environmental review to move the project forward, a decision upheld in court in April 2026.