News

Mountain fountain is going away

Rendering shows design of the new fountain on Main Street on the First Citizens Bank plaza.

By Bill Moss, Published: May 14, 2026

Critics of downtown’s most prominent — and maligned — piece of public art can rejoice.

The “mountain fountain” is going away.

Beloved by few — and sometimes mocked as the "mountain molar" — the copper depiction of the Blue Ridge mountains rising above the French Broad River Valley — or something like that — will be removed and replaced by decorative water jets.

The Hendersonville City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday night to authorize city engineers and a public works crew to remove the old while Medallion Pools install the new.

City engineers have been working with Medallion to evaluate the fountain and come up with a new design. Medallion, which installed the original mechanical system, “developed concepts to modernize the fountain while maintaining the integrity of the existing brick structure,” says a resolution the council adopted. A contract with the pool contractor will include cleaning the existing brick structure and installing new water jets and lighting “to improve (the) functionality, safety and visual appeal” of the urban artwork on the First Citizens plaza on North Main.

Brett Detwiler, the chief city engineer and assistant city manager for public services, estimated that the city and Medallion could complete the job for $65,000 or less. The city hopes to have the new fountain installed and running by the Fourth of July, when hundreds are expected to line Main Street for the big America 250 parade.

Council members debated which of two concepts would be less likely to invite children to jump in. They chose the option that “features three bands of water spouts that rise in height as they spiral toward the center, creating a more modern and distinctive look,” as city engineers described it. The basin will include accent lighting to enhance the fountain at night.

After the council vote, Mayor Barbara Volk declared that the motion was adopted.

“And we will move forward with something pretty and safe,” she said.