Landmark Urban Plaza Water Feature Engineering
Keiner Plaza is a 1.9-acre urban park situated in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Originally dedicated in 1962 in honor of 1904 Olympic track athlete Harry J. Kiener, the plaza underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation executed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Gateway Arch. Hydro Dramatics was selected to provide complete mechanical engineering, electrical design, equipment fabrication, and technical oversight for the site's two distinct water features.
The revitalized park serves as a major civic gathering hub featuring open lawns, dynamic public performance spaces, an iconic central monument, and state-of-the-art interactive water displays engineered to endure heavy public usage and harsh seasonal climate changes.
Key Architectural & Mechanical Components
1. Focal Monument Fountain with Dynamic RGB Illumination
Positioned prominently at the park's center is William Zorach's bronze sculpture, "The Olympic Runner." Hydro Dramatics engineered a circular basin encircling the statue, featuring precision-calibrated cascading foam nozzles. Each jet is paired with high-lumen, underwater RGB LED fixtures that enable programmable color sequences for night events, civic holidays, and citywide sports celebrations.
2. High-Density Zero-Depth Interactive Splash Pad
To engage visitors of all ages, Keiner Plaza features an interactive zero-depth splash pad. Hydro Dramatics designed a compact matrix of modern jet nozzles concealed directly beneath heavy-duty, stainless-steel ADA-compliant trench grates. The tight grid pattern delivers dynamic water column sequences while ensuring a safe, flush walking surface for pedestrians.
3. Pre-Engineered Subterranean Equipment Vaults
To preserve the park's clean visual lines and protect sensitive mechanical hardware from public access and outdoor weather, the entire hydraulic infrastructure is housed underground. Hydro Dramatics designed and pre-assembled heavy-duty fiberglass equipment vaults containing high-efficiency recirculating pumps, commercial-grade filtration systems, automated chemical treatment units, and programmable electrical control panels.
Hydro Dramatics Engineering Scope & Deliverables
- Comprehensive Mechanical CAD Drawings & Hydraulic Sizing
- Complete Electrical Schematic Drawings & DMX Lighting Controls
- Custom Commercial Fountain Nozzles & Underwater Fixture Supply
- Pre-Fabricated Heavy-Duty Subterranean Fiberglass Equipment Vault
- ADA-Compliant Stainless Steel Trench Grates & Structural Hardware
- On-Site Construction Supervision & Hydraulic System Integration
- Full System Commissioning, Field Testing & Operator Training
- Complete Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Engineering Manuals
