Fountain of generosity

By JOHN EHINGER

The Thrasher family and others give downtown a boost

The continued revitalization of downtown Huntsville needs several components. One is private commitment. Others include the expansion and enhancement of public space.

A plan announced this week calls for a fountain to be located between the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Williams Avenue. It will be one feature of the new canal going in between Big Spring International Park's lagoon and Pinhook Creek.

The public contribution? The city has already committed $2.4 million to the canal and its aesthetic features. Another $1 million in federal money is involved.

The private portion starts with the family of the late civic leader Tom Thrasher in the form of a $284,000 donation to build the fountain itself. The fountain's basin will be 50 feet in circumference. It will feature a spray illuminated with multi-colored lights, and it will have the capability of synchronizing with music.

The second private player in the plan is the nonprofit group Big Spring Partners, Inc., which will oversee the construction. Big Spring Partners, Inc., earlier was involved in an arrangement to help ensure the future of the Holiday Inn Select (formerly the Hilton Huntsville), just south of the park.

David Johnston, president of Big Spring Partners, Inc., says he hopes the Thrasher family's generous gift will inspire other private philanthropy. Some possibilities include the construction of an amphitheater on Pinhook Creek and perhaps plazas along the creek once the latter is improved and landscaped.

The creation and involvement of Big Spring Partners, Inc., gives the future of the downtown area another boost. As a private organization, it can do certain things that city government cannot.

Along with these enhancements, there remains a continuing need to expand the public space downtown. Planned work on Pinhook Creek will help address that need, at least in part.

Although the city is committed to maintaining the fountain once it is completed next summer, it would be reassuring if that commitment could be expressed in a form that would endure for the long term. Ideally, the fountain will still be in place and functioning 20 years from now, even though different city officials will probably be in office.

Earlier this year, the changes to Monroe Street and Williams Avenue helped transform both the traffic flow and the aesthetics of the area. In a few months, both the Embassy Suites and the Big Spring Summit office tower will be open and operating.

Over time, it's inevitable that redevelopment, including retail, will occur. Whatever form it takes, the things happening downtown need to keep happening, and, to their credit, private and public interests seem willing to do their part.

By John Ehinger, for the editorial board. E-mail: johne@htimes.com

Published October 15, 2005, The Huntsville Times