Temporary sentinel assumes downtown post

The miner statue is still being repaired, but a familiar silhouette is now greeting commuters coming into downtown Houghton from the east off College Avenue. The black-and-white stand-in at Franklin Square will be in place until repairs are completed on the permanent metal fixture by the spring or early summer. City Manager Eric Waara thanked a local company for their handiwork at last week’s council meeting.

The temporary miner is bolted to a 400-pound slab of concrete making it as vandal proof as possible. Waara also commented on the excellent job done by road crews in recent weeks and the temporary closure of the skating ribbon at Kestner Waterfront Park. Waara last addressed a collaboration between city utilities and Michigan Tech to find a problem on campus.

The meeting was filled primarily by discussion over rezoning near Coles Creek.