Michigan Honors Coleman Young With Dual Statue Initiative
The state plans to install bronze statues of the late mayor in both the U.S. Capitol and Detroit by early 2028.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The Coleman A. Young Statue Initiative has announced plans to create two identical bronze statues of the former Detroit mayor. One figure will be installed at the U.S. Capitol to replace a statue of Lewis Cass, while the second will be placed in Detroit.
Why it matters
The Michigan Legislature opted to replace the statue of Lewis Cass due to his history as a slaveholder and his role in the Trail of Tears. Supporters argue that honoring Coleman Young recognizes his enduring impact on the history of Michigan.
The initiative has raised $1.2 million toward a $2 million goal to cover the sculpture creation, transportation, and installation. The Michigan Statuary Hall Commission is overseeing the project to replace the Lewis Cass statue.
The players
Coleman Young
He was a significant political figure who served as the mayor of Detroit.
Austen Brantley
He is the artist officially commissioned to create the bronze statues.
Michigan Statuary Hall Commission
This state entity is responsible for managing the replacement initiative.
The details
Artist Austen Brantley has been commissioned to sculpt the likeness of Coleman Young, with a 26-inch model currently guiding the process. The initiative covers the costs for the production of two identical statues and the required pedestal construction.
Timeline
2000: Federal law authorized states to begin replacing statues in the collection.
2022: The Michigan Legislature voted to remove the Lewis Cass statue.
October 20, 2026: Organizers announced plans for the dual statue placement.
Late 2027 or early 2028: The statues are expected to be installed.
Political Context
This initiative follows a pattern set by the National Statuary Hall Collection, which allows states to replace historic figures to better reflect modern values. Some groups may object to removing figures like Lewis Cass, arguing that removing historical statues erases the complexities of state history.
The transition process requires replacing the Lewis Cass statue in the U.S. Capitol, which changes the representation of Michigan in federal spaces. Residents will gain a permanent, identical monument to the former mayor within Detroit as part of this project.
The takeaway
The project serves as a significant shift in how the state chooses to visually represent its political history in national and local arenas. Communities can track the progress of the initiative through the Michigan Statuary Hall Commission as the installation date approaches.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing initiatives at the Michigan Legislative Policy section.
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Should your community prioritize placing historical statues of local leaders in public spaces?
