Oakland's Life Enrichment Committee gave the go-ahead Tuesday for the funding, which is part of a package of projects that will receive money generated by Measure DD.

Complete restoration is estimated at about $900,000.

But fans of the fountain were optimistic.

"The city gave us an excellent start," said Jim Ratcliff, chairman of the Friends of Cleveland Cascade.

Ratcliff said the $900,000 figure is a rough estimate, and that private funds would be sought to make up the difference. He said that since they began collecting money less than a year ago, they have raised about $80,000, and that fund-raising efforts so far have been fairly passive.

The Cleveland Cascade is a 1920s fountain unearthed by a group of residents this past May. It has 20 steps, with water pouring down in front of colored lights.

"It was once very beautiful," said Councilwoman Jean Quan, who is a member of the committee that approved the funding. "But there's obviously a need for a lot of private money and a lot of volunteers to make it work."

About 50 residents showed up at the meeting, many with fliers proclaiming their support for the fountain.

"They did a very good e-mail campaign," Quan said. She said that they rarely alter Measure DD recommendations, and was surprised that people were concerned.

"It was a lot of effort for something that was going to pass anyway," she said.