Eighth Street Fountain
Owner: Kansas City Parks & Recreation Department
Dates: 1989
Artist/Designer: Theis Sickbert Associates
Description:
The Eighth Street Fountain serves as an unofficial gateway to the Garment District and Quality Hill in the northwest section of downtown Kansas City. A red brick wall divides this fountain and gives it two distinct appearances.
On the east side, facing Broadway, is a cascade of water down the red brick wall into the basin below. The patterns one can see in the cascade changes with perspective and light. Due to the sheerness of the wall, the water moves down the wall fairly quickly to match the hustle and bustle of downtown and the traffic on Broadway. This side also features the fountain's two plaques.
On the west, water streams through five stone scuppers at the top giving it more traditional fountain effect as the water works it way down into the basins below. This side of the fountain is more leisurely. It abuts a small courtyard where workers and residents can stop to rest and enjoy its beauty.
