Photo: City of Detroit
DETROIT, June 14, 2024 ~ Today, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined city officials, community partners, and residents to celebrate the completion of the nearly $7 million restoration of the iconic Dodge Fountain in Hart Plaza.
After sitting dormant for nearly a decade, the fountain is once again ready to welcome Detroiters and visitors alike. The restoration project, led by the city’s Construction and Demolition Department, utilized $6.7 million from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is one part of the overall total for the Hart Plaza renovation project totaling $9 million in ARPA funds. This marks the beginning of broader revitalization efforts aimed at transforming Hart Plaza into a vibrant gathering place for Detroit residents and visitors.
“It seems nearly every longtime Detroiter has a fond childhood memory of being at Hart Plaza and being sprayed or soaked by Dodge Fountain,” Duggan said in a press release. “When it was allowed to fall into neglect and disuse, it became just one more thing Detroiters felt was taken from them. But today, Detroiters get to celebrate a new beginning with the restoration of Dodge Fountain and the start of another generation of happy memories for the children of our city.”
The restoration process involved several steps, including the thorough removal and replacement of metal panels from the fountain’s dome, and comprehensive repairs to the jets, lighting, and plumbing systems. The newly restored fountain now stands tall with shining metal paneling, revitalized jets, an array of unique water features, and LED lighting displays.
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