When Disney's California Adventure unveiled
'World of Color,' the park's
massive water-and-light animation show, officials hoped to create a
focal point for nightly visitors to end their evening on a high note.
The Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas has a
similar show, where synchronized
fountains create an aquatic ballet for visitors. But those are tourist
destinations, where spectacle and showmanship are included in the
experience. How would such a show be greeted in a highly-trafficked
urban center like Philadelphia?
The principals at Philadelphia-based
WaterMagic LLC hope the city will appreciate a
little showmanship as they attempt to bring a similar fountain show to
the Schuylkill Banks area by 30th Street Station. The installation,
created by 'World of Color' designer Robert Nonemaker, would include a
70-foot water screen displaying digital images and a solar array to
power all fountains and lights. WaterMagic has received $3.5 million that it must match with private funding in order to move forward.
With support from city officials like Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler and
former Governor Ed Rendell, principals John Randolph and Rob Stuart
started the push for private financing this week.
"We hope this will extend the hours of useful life along the Schuylkill
to include the nighttime hours," says Randolph. "And it will add to the
image of the river as a gateway between Center City and West
Philadelphia."
After talking to park users and residents, the most common complaint
about the area was the noise level of traffic from nearby highway
entrances and thoroughfares. WaterMagic hopes its installation will
provide a noise barrier and a distraction from automotive noise.
"The water screen acts as a noise blocker and the plumes act as a
masking with pleasant noise of falling water, that people find
relaxing," Stuart says. "Our sense is that this will be something that
will bring people to Philadelphia and keep them here at night to witness
this phenomenon."
Source: Rob Stuart, WaterMagic LLC
Writer: John Steele