After sitting dormant for years, the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain is expected to have water flowing through it as early as next spring thanks to a project that aims to renovate and restore Hart Plaza.
The project, which is being led by the Detroit Construction & Demolition Department, began earlier this week with an evaluation of the fountain that includes cleaning and waterproofing the plaza, pressure testing the columns and rings, installing new lights and nozzles, and more.
The entire restoration of the fountain is expected to take several months and will cost $6.7 million, taken out of the $9 million awarded to the city as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.
The rest of these funds will go toward the larger Hart Plaza renovation project including work to make the stairway from the riverfront more accessible, and the addition of greenspaces.
The restored fountain is expected to be up and running by April of 2024.
“Restoring the iconic fountain and revitalizing this historic space is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about preserving our heritage, honoring our past, and embracing a vibrant future,” said LaJuan Counts, executive director of the City of Detroit Construction & Demolition Department.
“We are immensely proud of this opportunity, and the responsibility bestowed upon us by Mayor Duggan is both an honor and a testament to the faith in our community.”
For more information, visit detroitmi.gov. Plus, be sure to check out HourDetroit.com for more community development news.
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