The Dodge Fountain, located in the heart of Phillip A. Hart Plaza along the Detroit River, has been a significant landmark since its construction in 1978. Designed by Architect, Isamu Noguchi, the fountain became a symbol of modern water feature design and engineering. However, after nearly fifty years of service, the fountain fell into disrepair and had been out of operation for the past decade.
In 2023, recognizing the cultural and aesthetic value of the Dodge Fountain, the Detroit City Council allocated $5.6 million for its restoration. This funding was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act, a bill enacted in 2021 to provide cities with relief from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. LaJuan Counts, Detroit’s Construction and Demolition Director, expressed the city's commitment to the project, stating, "The prospect of giving this iconic space a much-needed facelift and restoring the fountain to its former glory fills us with immense pride. This fountain is truly one of a kind, and reviving it is no small feat."
The fountain's design is both distinctive and innovative, featuring a massive stainless-steel structure with two legs that support and supply water to a suspended stainless-steel ring. Below this suspended ring lies a lower basin, encircled by an eight-foot tall wall, creating an interactive space where visitors can get up close to the water feature. The fountain's display includes intricate spray effects and LED underwater lighting, both in the lower basin and the upper ring, enhancing its visual appeal.
The renovation, executed with fountain equipment supplied by Fountain People, involved significant upgrades to the fountain's submersible lighting and operational systems. Over 160 LED underwater light fixtures were installed, providing multi-colored illumination that can be synchronized for fountain shows at various events. These programmable fountain submersible light fixtures enhance the fountain’s aesthetic, lighting up the lower basin, the stainless-steel support legs, the top panel, and the upper fog jets. Additionally, new electrical panels with Variable Frequency Drive systems (VFD) and a touchscreen interface were integrated to facilitate more efficient and precise control of the fountain. Other enhancements included a water level sensor, a fill manifold, and misting nozzles, all contributing to the fountain's original water feature design and modern functionality.
The restoration culminated in a grand reopening on June 13, 2024, celebrated by city officials, including Mayor Mike Duggan. The event marked the fountain's return as a vital public space and landmark in Detroit. The operational hours for the fountain are now set from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm daily, with plans to make it a central water feature for events and gatherings in the revitalized plaza.
The rejuvenation of Dodge Fountain is a testament to Detroit's dedication to preserving its iconic landmarks while adapting the water feature design for contemporary use, ensuring that they continue to serve as focal points of community engagement and urban beauty for future generations.
