The Detroit City Council approved their 2024-25 budget on Monday, April 8th. This budget is the main source of money for city operations such as trash collection, the cleanup of alleys and capital improvements in city facilities and parks.
Monday's vote capped a weeklong round of discussions on funding priorities for pet projects and the allocation of approximately 2% of the General Fund.
Along with significant investments in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Zoo, Eastern Market and Black-owned farms, and the reopening of the Monteith Branch of the public library, Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway fought throughout the day for a substantial amount to restore the Merrill Fountain at Palmer Park, and successfully held off an attempt to reduce the funding to $500,000.
The Merrill Fountain was dedicated to Charles Merrill on July 16, 1901, and designed by John Carrere and Thomas Hastings, who also designed the New York Public Library. It was originally erected at Campus Martius in front of the old Detroit Opera House and moved to Palmer Park in 1925.
People for Palmer Park has been advocating for the Fountain restoration for a long time. Here is a link to a video made years ago in our efforts to apply for grant funding:
Monday's vote capped a weeklong round of discussions on funding priorities for pet projects and the allocation of approximately 2% of the General Fund.
Along with significant investments in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Zoo, Eastern Market and Black-owned farms, and the reopening of the Monteith Branch of the public library, Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway fought throughout the day for a substantial amount to restore the Merrill Fountain at Palmer Park, and successfully held off an attempt to reduce the funding to $500,000.
The Merrill Fountain was dedicated to Charles Merrill on July 16, 1901, and designed by John Carrere and Thomas Hastings, who also designed the New York Public Library. It was originally erected at Campus Martius in front of the old Detroit Opera House and moved to Palmer Park in 1925.
People for Palmer Park has been advocating for the Fountain restoration for a long time. Here is a link to a video made years ago in our efforts to apply for grant funding:
People for Palmer Park extends its gratitude not only to Council Member Whitfield-Calloway, but to Mayor Duggan, City of Detroit COO Brad Dick, and City of Detroit Director of General Services Dept Crystal Perkins.
Photos: Barbara Barefield; Amy Lebowsky
Historical photos: Wayne State University, Detroit Public Library/Burton Historical Collection; Library of Congress
Historical photos: Wayne State University, Detroit Public Library/Burton Historical Collection; Library of Congress
