Father Marquette Statue restoration begins

One of oldest landmarks in Marquette County will be getting a much needed face lift.

After months of planning, the repairs and restorations started on the Father Marquette Statue on South Front Street in Marquette.  The work is being done on the statue’s two reliefs.

Pieces have been missing from the reliefs for more than three decades.

“Well originally we had to find the missing pieces, figure out what they look like and recreate them. Then weld them to the existing surface. That was probably the most difficult,” Project Manager Giorgio Gikas said.

“Father Marquette now has a head again. Some of the people in the reliefs now have arms and hands so it’s really an exciting day,” Emily Lewis, President of the Marquette Beautification Committee said.  “Then when they finish the restoration they’ll be cleaning the statue.”

The restoration project is one phase of the Beautification Committee’s plan.

Lewis said they would like to make the park more handicap accessible and to light the statue at night.