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Longwood Garden's Main Fountain Gets A Makeover

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The centerpiece of one of the world's most celebrated horticultural displays is getting a big update at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square.

When Industrialist Pierre du Pont acquired the property in the early 1900's, one of his enduring contributions was the Main Fountain Garden, which was completed in the 1930's.

Now, the historic five-acre fountain garden is about to undergo a major renovation, and Urban Engineers, headquartered in Philadelphia, which is involved in the Dilworth Plaza project at City Hall, is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and civil engineering design services.

Urban Engineers Vice President Jim Bilella says they're still conceptualizing how best to allow the fountain to flourish, while respecting du Pont's original design intent of the Fountain Garden.

"How do you maintain that, but bring it into the 21st century, knowing that he was very much kind of an engineering visionary."

Longwood Gardens commissioned the New York architectural firm, Beyer Blinder Belle, which has worked on Grand Central Terminal and at Lincoln Center, to lead the rehab project.

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