ROYAL OAK (WWJ) — For years the water tower at the Detroit Zoo has been a landmark for drivers going by on I-696. But since the iconic purple and black mural of animals disappeared from the tower last fall, it has remained a black white slate.
Until this week, that is, when Metro Detroiters first noticed a blue stripe along the bottom.
Officials with the Detroit Zoo tell WWJ crews began mobilizing last week to prepare for the paint job that started this week, noting the paint project itself will take “a few weeks” to complete, depending on the weather.
Once the painting is complete, a vinyl wrap will be installed. But as for what the water tower’s new design will be, that remains a mystery.
Royal Oak Mayor Mike Fournier told WWJ’s Charlie Langton the city’s planning commission did agree to changes for the tower, but the final design is left up to the zoo. And at the moment, it remains a secret.
“Probably something related to animals; that’s just a really wild guess,” Fournier said. “I don’t know, they have a really creative PR team there, so expectations are really high.”
The zoo had originally planned last summer to change the water tower mural in commemoration of the zoo’s 95th anniversary, but later in the fall officials announced it would remain white until this spring.
Fournier said he’s interested in how the zoo is keeping the design under wraps.
“You have this huge water tower — how's it gonna be a secret to everybody? The creativity and keeping it a secret while they’re doing the work, I think, is pretty amazing as well,” Fournier said.
While an exact timetable for when the project will be completed remains up in the air, the process is well underway.