An iconic spot on Detroit's Belle Isle is getting nearly half a million dollars for improvements. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix announced on Tuesday that it is dedicating $400,000 from the Detroit Grand Prixmiere this year for improvements to the Scott Fountain.
Officials from the grand prix, DTE Energy, the Michigan DR and others announced that the money will be for crucial maintenance and improvement projects that will keep the fountain waters flowing for years to come.
DTE Engineer Robert Carpenter has worked with the Michigan DNR to conduct annual maintenance on the fountain, and they have identified key initiatives that need work right away to keep the 93-year-old fountain in working order.
Those areas include focusing on infrastructure and pump system improvements, repairing the marble on the fountain stairs, fixing leaks and broken pipes, painting the main fountain bowl, replacing damaged lighting, resealing marble joins and more.
“Scott Fountain is one of the area’s treasures of design and craftsmanship,” GM VP of Global Design Michael Simcoe said in a release. “It was an honor for us to highlight its beauty at the Grand Prixmiere gala, where the community came together to make this investment possible. I’m thrilled to see this restoration and preservation project begin.”
