The site where Dallas was founded — the same place where the world continues to mourn the loss of President John F. Kennedy — is getting a facelift.

Mayor Tom Leppert poured the first concrete Thursday morning as part of a massive renovation of Dealey Plaza, one of two National Historic Landmarks in the city.

There will be new plumbing for the fountains, new sidewalks for visitors, and needed repairs will be made to all historic structures.

The two month fix-up project will cost nearly $840,000, paid for with funds from a 2003 bond package.

Dealey Plaza, named for newspaper publisher and civic leader George Bannerman Dealey, was built in 1940 to honor prominent Dallas residents.

President Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade traveled through the plaza on November 22, 1963.