  Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 636 Registered: 11-2003 |
Know it's needed but still a bummer to see them off. Better now than the summer, though. I always wondered how much maintenance is needed with that stuff. Looks like they're building a whole canopy for them to work under.  | ||
Gotdetroit Member Username: Gotdetroit Post Number: 131 Registered: 12-2005 |
They've also stripped all the marble off the fountain. Was down there last weekend, and it was all gone. Down to nuthin. | ||
Swingline Member Username: Swingline Post Number: 1064 Registered: 11-2003 |
Isn't the fountain only about 4 years old? Seems kind of soon to be undertaking such extensive waterproofing repairs. Sounds and looks some serious design issues have cropped up. Wonder who is footing the repair bill. Anybody have inside (or underground) info? | ||
Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman Post Number: 282 Registered: 06-2005 |
Don't hold your breath. Seems most of the board's insiders have long since moved on. GO DENBY TARS! | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 2023 Registered: 09-2006 |
lol, I think I get it. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2401 Registered: 10-2006 |
Water features are some of the most difficult urban features to maintain, aside from the amount of work required to install them, something has to remove all the crap that lands in them, someone has to keep homeless from bathing in them, and someone has to check them to make sure that they are working properly esp. as the seasons change. That's why there are several water features in city parks that have been abandoned, most notably, the Merrill Fountain: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7 1288712@N00/501693655/ | ||
Yeti Member Username: Yeti Post Number: 50 Registered: 09-2007 |
TRY THIS LINK | ||
Border5150 Member Username: Border5150 Post Number: 196 Registered: 03-2004 |
Is the rest of the park still open? I'm coming in for Opening Day and I'm curious... | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5288 Registered: 10-2003 |
Why don't the "repair" the Merill fountain? They did the Hurlbut Gate, so why not the Merill? | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2403 Registered: 10-2006 |
That's almost what I am trying to say Patrick. Sure the city could spend the money to repair an old fountain, but water features at least take seasonal maintenance, whereas the Hurlbut Gate can essentially go for another few decades before it would need another major face-lift. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 11923 Registered: 12-2003 |
It was pretty clear that they used the wrong type of sealer caulk between those slabs of marble, or at least applied it incorrectly. It was eroding the FIRST year, I'm surprised to hear it's been four...that can't be right, can it?! I often sit and gander about the park, occasionally the ONLY person around...purgatory for a people-watcher...so the fountain became my mesmerizing focus to enjoy the passing of time. This work probably should've been done last year, I wouldn't be surprised if they find damage beneath the slabs they weren't expecting. Might need to find another liquid meditation focus... | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 415 Registered: 03-2005 |
I noticed it during the last week of the ice rink being open. The rink attendant I talked to said there was some water damage/leakage in the sub-substructure and it had to be stripped down to reseal it ... or something. Made sense at the time. Anything that has water flowing over it will need a lot of maintenance, I guess. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6553 Registered: 08-2004 |
Lest we forget about the wonderful water features that never came to fruition on the Dodge Fountain in Hart Plaza. I heard it had something to do with a worker leaving a bucket in one of the pipes. Or is that an urban myth? | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 123 Registered: 10-2007 |
"Is the rest of the park still open? I'm coming in for Opening Day and I'm curious..." Yes, of course Palmer Park is open. The gates for the closest parking (nearest to Woodward) to the fountain have been pulled all winter, But you can park a block away near the apartments (some of which are really cool) and still see your car and walk towards the fountain, or the cabin. If you're heading south on Woodward, just before you get to McNichols is Merrill Plaissance (limestone building with green copper roof is at the corner, just past the tennis courts). Turn right, or park on Woodward. | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2007 |
Unless you meant Campus Martius being opened. Yeah it's open too. |
