Editor's Note: This article, originally published Dec. 2, 2021, was updated with additional details on Aug. 15, 2022.

A public art installation planned for Downtown will pay tribute to Arlington’s famous “Old Mineral Well,” which served as a community gathering place nearly 60 years.

Construction is set to begin this October for the new Mineral Well Public Plaza, which will be located on the west end of the plaza area between City Hall and the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The Arlington City Council approved a contract with Millis Development and Construction-Dallas, LLC of Missouri City, Texas, for the project on Aug. 2.

The original mineral well, which was originally drilled at the intersection of Main and Center streets in 1893 but permanently capped and paved over in 1951, had served as a social gathering place for decades. It was difficult for some in the community to see the removal of the well, was the focal point for rallies, parades, cotton sales and even for the sale of mineral water. This project is seeking to memorialize the historical landmark by providing a public gathering place to celebrate the collective memory of the well.

The new Mineral Well, designed by national award-winning landscape architect and designer James “Jim” Richards, will not contain mineral water. It will, however, feature a 40’ high architectural clock tower with four lion bust sculpture panels sculpted by a local master sculptor Janice Hart Melito, to memorialize the original Mineral Well. The location of the proposed clock tower was selected due to its proximity to the original well site at the intersection of Main and Center streets and to create a grand visual terminus on West Main Street. This feature is designed to function as a public gathering place, with additional improvements such as a large water feature, seating areas, lighting, site furnishings, stone paving, drainage, plumbing, electrical, irrigation and landscape improvements.

The project is funded by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation. A dedication ceremony is anticipated in summer 2023.

“All of us at the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation are delighted to support this project as a way to memorialize our past and, at the same time, adding a beautiful new structure to our downtown landscape,” said Carolyn Mentesana, Executive Director of the Tomorrow Foundation.

The City executed design contract with MESA Design Associates, Inc. to develop detailed design and construction documents for this project. A Competitive Sealed Proposal process of procurement was conducted by the City for selecting the contractor. Millis Development and Construction - Dallas, LLC, of Missouri City, Texas, was awarded the $2,387,846.50 contract and has agreed to an aspirational 35.95% MWBE participation goal, thus exceeding the original goal requirements, recommended by the City’s Office of Business Diversity.

Click here to visit the Parks and Recreation Department’s Major Capital Project webpage to learn more.

To find out more about the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation’s philanthropic activities, check out their Grant Highlights and Past Awards.