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Belle Isle

Photograph or avatar of Jer Staes
The fountain on Belle Isle will be closed until 2027 for repairs.

The historic Scott Memorial Fountain will undergo $6 million in renovations starting this summer, paid for by federal relief money.

The 18-month project will close the fountain until May 2027, but promises to preserve this 100-year-old treasure for future generations.

A DNR park ranger runs through a series of complex steps to turn on the multitiered fountain.

"Two years ago, results of the concrete core samples taken from the lower bowl showed the basin structure needed to be addressed," said Thomas Bissett, urban district supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "Although the project will have an impact on visitors, we're grateful that ARPA dollars were available for this project to strengthen and protect fountain structure and operation for future generations."

Aerial view of the James Scott Memorial Fountain and lagoon with the Detroit River and skyline in the distance. 

Per press materials:

To ensure the basin's structural integrity and protect the underlying mechanical room, the renovation project will involve installing new concrete beams and replacing the underlying fountain plumbing. Additionally, a watertight seal and marble elements around the lower bowl will help prevent water infiltration to subgrade operational space.

A bummer for this and next summer, but the work is way overdue and there just hasn’t been the money to do more than spot repairs for decades.

On today's all-local daily podcast with Devon O'Reilly:

04:09 - Devon tries Paris Baguette in Dearborn

06:44 - Trying the Peterboro for the first time after the pandemic

09:44 - New shipping

Happy Friday! Devon O'Reilly is in and we're talking about: West Riverfront Park: Game-changer for Corktown, boosting property values and community vibes. Belle Isle Driving Range: Did you know about the golf facilities?

Plus, it's

The new Detroit sign on I-94 is the talk of the town, and Robin Runyan with Fletcher Sharpe is here joining Jer to do just that.

Plus we get into a new trash robot on