Detroit — It’s one of Detroit’s most popular backdrops for family photos, wedding shoots, and everything in between.
And now the nearly century-old James Scott Memorial Fountain on Belle Isle is undergoing a $6 million renovation to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which has operated Belle Isle since 2014, said construction began in June to lay the groundwork for repairs that will continue into next year. That includes removing the marble from the base and rehabilitating the fountain’s lower bowl. The fountain will operate through the summer but will be shut down later this year for repairs.
“We plan to keep the fountain operating this summer and as long as possible into the fall,” said Thomas Bissett, district manager for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division.
The fountain is named after James Scott, a real estate investor who was active in Detroit’s social circles in the late 19th century and who, after his death in 1910, left money in his will for a fountain in Detroit on the condition that it contain a life-size statue of him.
Despite protests, the city erected the fountain along with a statue of Scott sitting to the side, looking over the fountain, with Detroit in the background.
The fountain was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Herbert Adams and completed in 1925, 15 years after Scott’s death. Gilbert also designed the Detroit Public Library and the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, DC
According to HistoricDetroit.org, the fountain cost about $500,000 to build, or about $6.2 million today when adjusted for inflation. The lower bowl has a diameter of 155 meters, and the central water jet reaches a height of 38 meters. It has 109 water outlets in the shape of dolphins, turtles, lions and human figures.
Mechanical failure
A mechanical failure due to flooding in the well’s underground tunnel forced it to close in late August 2023. The flooding was caused by a faulty 4-inch shutoff valve in a water line, damaging several newer electrical components of the well’s circulation and filtration system.
DNR workers were able to pump out and dry the underground tunnel, and electricians worked on repairs, but that process was delayed because some of the parts were unavailable for several weeks. The well was eventually restored and has been in operation throughout the summer.
James Scott Memorial Fountain pumping station
A tour of the James Scott Memorial Fountain pumping station on Belle Isle as the Grand Prix announced a $400,000 donation from the 2018 Grand Prixmiere fundraiser.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Renovation of the fountain’s lower basin will begin next year, Bissett said. The money will come from federal pandemic relief funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, which must be earmarked for specific projects by the end of the year.
The current budget for the 2025 repairs is $6 million. The budget is based on the structural assessment completed in 2022, officials said.
“This will require removing the marble in the lower area and recasting the lower section. As you can imagine, this will result in the closure of the fountain during construction,” Bissett said.
According to Bissett, it has not yet been decided which material will be used to recast the lower section.
Additionally, approximately $400,000 worth of renovations were completed on the fountain in 2018 to repair mortar joints, paint the lower portion, and apply sealants.
Timeline
It’s unclear how long the repairs and upgrades might take. Officials said the design and construction plan for the well and other ARPA projects will follow a similar timeline, meaning they must be completed by the end of December 2026.
The project will address structural issues related to the concrete slab and the mechanical operating requirements of the fountain, said Amanda Treadwell, another DNR park ranger.
“The longevity and condition of the equipment and concrete structure in the subsurface engine room would benefit significantly from improved ventilation,” Treadwell said. “The well has not been comprehensively addressed in some time and there is a long list of deferred maintenance and equipment that is overdue for replacement. The current project scope includes a comprehensive assessment to improve the well structure, operations and site.”
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