Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain
Owner: Kansas City Parks & Recreation Department
Artist/Designer: WET Design and BNIM
Dates: Installed 2001; Renovated 2016; Rededicated June 30, 2016
The City of Fountains Foundation holds an endowment for this fountain.
Description:
The Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain was a gift to the city in the name of the co-founder of H&R Block, Inc. The fountain is located on West Pershing Road between Union Station and the Liberty Memorial, near Crown Center. It features 232 jets arranged in three concentric rings within an ellipse of black granite. A thin sheen of water on the flat granite creates a large mirror to reflect the historical and monumental architecture on either side of the fountain. A computer choreographs an ever-changing pattern of display. On each hour and half-hour, a five minute "high show" presents a celebration of water in movement. The fountain was designed by WET Design, the designers of the famous fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
In 2015-2016, the fountain underwent upgrades and renovations as part of the Union Station expansion project. The renovation included new lighting, new water jets and new choreographed presentations. The renovations were completed in June of 2016 and the fountain was rededicated on June 30, 2016.
