Detroit's Wait is Over: RoboCop Statue Finally Unveiled After Years of Delays
A long-awaited moment has finally arrived in the Motor City. The bronze statue of RoboCop, a beloved sci-fi character from the 1987 film set in Detroit, has been installed outside Eastern Market, nearly 15 years after someone first proposed the idea on Twitter.
The concept was initially sparked by @MT's tweet back in 2011, which jokingly suggested that if Philadelphia had a statue of Rocky Balboa, RoboCop should be immortalized in Detroit. The idea gained traction when then-Mayor Dave Bing responded with a dismissive "thank you for the suggestion," only to see it rekindled by local resident Brandon Walley's crowdfunding effort.
The project, commissioned by George Gikas' Venus Bronze Works and backed by Omni Consumer Products, raised over $60,000 but was marred by years of bureaucratic red tape. However, after a decade-long wait, the statue has finally become a reality.
Located at 3434 Russell Street, RoboCop stands tall as a testament to the city's nostalgia for its iconic sci-fi roots. The statue includes a plaque designed by Pete Hottelet with a QR code that links to more information about the project on easternmarket.org/robo-cop-statue.
The unveiling marks a triumphant moment in Detroit's cultural landscape, symbolizing the enduring appeal of RoboCop as an ambassador for the city. As one might expect from this cyborg lawman, justice has finally been served – and it's all thanks to the unwavering dedication of fans and local supporters who refused to let their dreams fade away.
A long-awaited moment has finally arrived in the Motor City. The bronze statue of RoboCop, a beloved sci-fi character from the 1987 film set in Detroit, has been installed outside Eastern Market, nearly 15 years after someone first proposed the idea on Twitter.
The concept was initially sparked by @MT's tweet back in 2011, which jokingly suggested that if Philadelphia had a statue of Rocky Balboa, RoboCop should be immortalized in Detroit. The idea gained traction when then-Mayor Dave Bing responded with a dismissive "thank you for the suggestion," only to see it rekindled by local resident Brandon Walley's crowdfunding effort.
The project, commissioned by George Gikas' Venus Bronze Works and backed by Omni Consumer Products, raised over $60,000 but was marred by years of bureaucratic red tape. However, after a decade-long wait, the statue has finally become a reality.
Located at 3434 Russell Street, RoboCop stands tall as a testament to the city's nostalgia for its iconic sci-fi roots. The statue includes a plaque designed by Pete Hottelet with a QR code that links to more information about the project on easternmarket.org/robo-cop-statue.
The unveiling marks a triumphant moment in Detroit's cultural landscape, symbolizing the enduring appeal of RoboCop as an ambassador for the city. As one might expect from this cyborg lawman, justice has finally been served – and it's all thanks to the unwavering dedication of fans and local supporters who refused to let their dreams fade away.
. It just goes to show how hard it can be to get something done in this city. But you know what really gets me? The fact that our politicians have been too slow to support projects that bring in tourism and boost local businesses. I mean, who doesn't love RoboCop? He's a Detroit icon, for real 
. It's like they say, "if you don't create jobs, someone else will" 
. Anyway, it's about time we saw some progress around here. Maybe this is the start of something big... or maybe it'll just get stuck in bureaucratic limbo again 
.
Detroiters must be super excited too! I mean, 15 years is a loooong time for something like this to happen 
. But you know what? It's cool to see how it all came together from just a random tweet back in 2011 
. And can we talk about the crowdfunding effort for a sec? $60k might not seem like a lot, but I guess it just goes to show that when people believe in something, they'll make it happen 
. Now, I'm imagining all the fans taking pics with RoboCop and stuff... the city's definitely gonna see some tourism $$$ 
I've been waiting for like, forever for this to happen! 15 whole years of delays and bureaucratic red tape is just insane... I was starting to think we'd never see the day where RoboCop would be standing tall outside Eastern Market. But the fans never gave up, and their dedication has finally paid off. It's such a testament to how passionate people can get about something they love 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want a statue of a cyborg lawman with a bad attitude and even better skills? It's just perfect for Detroit's vibe. I'm sure it'll become this huge tourist attraction and bring even more attention to the city... can you imagine walking past that every day and feeling like you're part of something special? 
. But in all seriousness, it's pretty cool that local fans and residents banded together to bring this project to life. I've always had a soft spot for RoboCop - who wouldn't want a cyborg lawman as their hero? 
It just goes to show that in today's digital age, you can't rely on traditional channels alone – sometimes you gotta take matters into your own hands (or in this case, Twitter 
). As for the statue itself, it's about time we celebrated our Detroit roots and all the sci-fi fandom that comes with 'em. Now, if only we could get some meaningful investments in our city to match the enthusiasm of our fans... 
Anyway, it's awesome to see RoboCop finally standing tall outside Eastern Market as a symbol of Detroit's cool sci-fi roots. It's also pretty sweet that fans and locals were able to band together to make this dream a reality – justice has definitely been served! 
i guess you could say justice has been served...and it's all thanks to a bunch of people who didn't give up on their weirdo dream 