Tbilisi Mayor announces major rehabilitation project for Vake Park fountains, cascade

Tbilisi City Hall has begun a large-scale rehabilitation of the fountains and cascade in the capital’s central Vake Park, Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced at a municipal government meeting on Wednesday.

The project, overseen by the City Hall's Environmental Protection Department, aims to restore the historic water features to their original appearance while upgrading infrastructure with modern, energy-efficient systems.

Kaladze said the first stage of the initiative will involve research and detailed design work. "Within the scope of the project, the existing fountains and cascade will be restored using the same materials. An energy-efficient lighting system will be installed, and the drainage, water supply, and electrical systems will be completely renovated," he said.

The pools and cascade will also undergo waterproofing, and new pumps tailored to the system’s specifications will be installed. The design phase includes engineering and geological surveys, as well as a detailed assessment of the current condition of the structures.

Kaladze noted the project also includes operational guidelines to ensure the long-term maintenance of the site.

A key requirement in the tender process was experience: the executing company - or one of its employees - must have previously been involved in the design or rehabilitation of fountains within an EU member state, in line with EN50110-1 standards, as of January 1, 2020.

"Given the tragedy [a minor was killed in the park’s fountain due to electrocution in 2022] we have experienced, the involvement of European specialists in this project is important," Kaladze added, referencing past safety concerns that have drawn public scrutiny.

The full rehabilitation is scheduled for completion by spring 2027.