(MIRROR INDY) — Southsiders, Lady Spray and The Pioneer Family — fountains in the heart of the Fountain Square neighborhood — need your help.
Southeast Neighborhood Development, Greater Virginia Avenue Corridor and Economic Improvement District will have a fundraiser to support maintenance of the fountains. Fountain Fright Night, 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, will include a live DJ and a costume contest with prizes. Tickets are $20 and come with one complimentary cocktail.
This year, Kelli Mirgeaux, Fountain Square resident and president of SEND, wants to raise $45,000 to help maintain the fountains.
The Lady Spray and The Pioneer Family fountains, which operate from May through October, have complex engineering and plumbing systems that receive regular maintenance and come with a hefty price tag.
“We’re gonna incur unexpected costs on an annual basis when the fountains aren’t working — hands down,” Mirgeaux said. “Because it’s not like a simple, ‘Oh, maybe there’s something just jammed.'”
Mirgeaux said Lady Spray stopped working at least three times this year, costing SEND roughly $48,000 in utilities, repairs and maintenance.
A concrete edge circles The Pioneer Family fountain to keep water from spilling over and prevents debris from people and animals from clogging the pumps or contaminating the water filtration. Now some of the concrete is eroding, which Mirgeaux said might cost $5,000 to $10,000 in repairs.
“We don’t necessarily have the capacity or the operating budget to do this, that’s why we’ve launched our fountain fund campaign,” Mirgeaux said. “We wouldn’t want there to be a burden on the neighborhood association.”
At the request of neighbors, the organization also plans to install cameras and more lighting around the plaza before spring 2026 to address safety concerns.
“Everything is much more successful in a community, in a neighborhood, when neighbors are involved, Mirgeaux said, “and they feel some more ownership of the space and the fountains.”
The organization leans on philanthropic and corporate sponsors for support. SEND was awarded $31,500 this fall from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a community development organization.
Mirgeaux hopes neighbors also will contribute to help sustain the future of the neighborhood’s namesake, even if residents only donate $5.
In addition to attending the fundraiser, residents can learn how to help maintain the fountains and share ideas for events at the plaza during SEND’s virtual economic development committee meeting at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. Community members can email [email protected] to receive the meeting Zoom link.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Read more on WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic
