The Kenan Fountain, located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, was gifted to the City in 1921 and is crafted from historic carved limestone. Its footprint was reduced in 1953 after the State Highway Commission asked for its removal.
The fountain has been out of operation since it was damaged by a contractor in 2023. An initial phase of work to repair the fountain began on November 10, 2025, with contractor Watertight Systems on site for about a week to create molds of the broken fountain pieces to be fabricated. Watertight will return in January to replace the stones and also complete repair work to get the fountain operational.
During the initial phase of work, City staff also removed both sets of balusters and the damaged bench on the south side, which had been severely damaged from frequent vehicle collisions. Staff will remove the bench on the north side when crews return to work in January. Benches and balusters will be preserved for potential future relocation.
The work slated for early 2026 will return the Kenan Fountain to proper working order.
Intersection of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, Wilmington View Map
Intersection of Fifth Avenue and Market Street , Wilmington