Construction Begins on Downtown Civic Park

Scheduled to open in the summer of 2012, the park will include an event lawn directly across from City Hall, which will accommodate as many 20,000 people for massive gatherings such as festivals, concerts and rallies.

Anchoring the other end of the park will be the 1960's era Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, which will be restored and enhanced to shoot jets of water 50 feet into the air.

Terraces leading down from the elevated Music Center will provide scenic views of the park. Pathways are planned through lawns and gardens, restaurants, play areas for children, and even a dog run.

Billionaire Eli Broad, who along with fellow philanthropist Jim Thomas co-founded the Grand Avenue Committee, said the park will become an "urban oasis in the heart of downtown."

"Civic Park promises to be a central gathering place where people from all neighborhoods in the city will be drawn to celebrate special events like New Year's Eve, Cinco de Mayo and July 4th," he said.