Thompson Elk Statue Set to Return Downtown in April After Multi-Year Fountain Restoration Project

A downtown landmark moves from storage back to Southwest Main Street

Portland’s Thompson Elk statue is scheduled to be reinstalled in downtown Portland in April, returning to its historic location on Southwest Main Street between Southwest 3rd and 4th avenues, between Chapman Square and Lownsdale Square. The return will mark a major milestone in a restoration project that has been underway for several years and has involved both the bronze statue and the fountain structure beneath it.

The statue and fountain were removed in July 2020 after damage and safety concerns emerged at the site. City inspections determined the bronze elk was not properly secured to its stone base and was at risk of falling. Parts of the granite fountain base were also removed for safekeeping as planning began for restoration and reconstruction.

Why the return has taken years

While the elk itself required limited conservation work, restoring the full fountain system has been complex. The project includes repair and replacement of historic stonework, waterproofing, utility installation, and construction of a modernized mechanical system. The fountain is being rebuilt with a recirculating pump designed to reuse water rather than run continuously to drain, reflecting updated efficiency standards and current operating expectations for civic fountains.

Reinstallation has also required engineering changes aimed at long-term stability. The city has indicated the statue will be reinforced and stabilized when it is returned to its granite base, including hardware intended to improve seismic performance.

Budget, contracting, and construction timeline

The restoration has been budgeted at approximately $2.2 million. Funding has included insurance proceeds and allocations approved through city budgeting processes. Construction formally began in July 2025, with early work focused on site preparation, removal of remaining base elements, excavation, and installation planning for below-grade equipment supporting the fountain’s operation.

City updates in early 2026 described the project entering final phases, including waterproofing, utility hookups, pump testing, and site restoration. The elk’s placement has been planned as one of the last steps, following completion of the underlying fountain and structural work.

What changes visitors may notice downtown

The statue’s historic setting has long functioned as both a public gathering point and a backdrop for civic expression. Transportation patterns around the site have also evolved since 2020, including the addition of a bike lane in the area. With the fountain footprint and street configuration adjusted over time, the April return will place the elk into a downtown streetscape that differs from the one it left.

• Location: SW Main Street between SW 3rd and 4th avenues
• Planned timing: April reinstallation, following early-spring construction completion
• Project scope: granite restoration, utilities, recirculating pump, stabilization hardware
• Total project budget: about $2.2 million

The April reinstallation is expected to be followed by a community celebration coordinated through city arts programming after construction concludes.

Once reinstalled, the Thompson Elk will again occupy a central position in downtown Portland’s public realm—both as a historic civic artwork and as a restored piece of infrastructure intended to operate as a working fountain.