Detroit Techno Park logo Detroit Techno Park
501(c)(3) nonprofit Detroit, Michigan Est. 2026

Detroit Techno Park

A permanent public monument at Cadillac Square dedicated to the four Black artists who created Techno.

Support the build Read the mission

The four originators

Bronze bust concept of Juan Atkins on a granite pedestal

Juan Atkins
Bronze bust concept of Eddie Fowlkes on a granite pedestal

Eddie Fowlkes
Bronze bust concept of Kevin Saunderson on a granite pedestal

Kevin Saunderson
Bronze bust concept of Derrick May on a granite pedestal

Derrick May
Preview Concept walk-through

Walk through the park

Artist rendering · Concept only

01 Mission

Techno was born in Detroit, now Detroit gives its creators a permanent home

Techno was born in Detroit — crafted in local home studios and basement venues before taking root worldwide. What began as an underground movement in the early 1980s quickly became one of the city's most influential cultural exports.

Yet despite this legacy, Detroit currently lacks a permanent public landmark dedicated to these foundational Black innovators. Detroit Techno Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization commissioning four bronze busts of Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson at Cadillac Square.

Renderings concept only

See what we're building

Walking path through the park with Juan Atkins and Eddie Fowlkes bronze busts on granite pedestals
Reverse view of the walking path with the four busts arranged along it
Close-up of the Derrick May bust and its bronze plaque
Kevin Saunderson bust with the pathway stretching down the median
Aerial view of the park layout at Cadillac Square

Artist rendering · Concept only

02 The monument

A civic monument to the sound Detroit gave the world

Designed for public accessibility and long-term durability, this civic monument celebrates the four originators of electronic music directly within downtown Detroit's urban core.

Material
Bronze
Height
24 inches
Pedestal
Granite
Sculptor
Announced fall '26
03 Phases · Targeting Q2 2028 unveiling

How do we build?

Project phasing and financial overview. All contributions are strictly restricted to bronze fabrication, site preparation, installation, and maintenance. Budgets will be finalized upon sculptor contract execution and municipal permit approval.

  1. Phase 01

    Fund

    Secure the capital for the busts, site work, and opening day. Founding donor circle, sponsorship tiers, and public fundraising open simultaneously.

    Goal
    $300,000 est.
    Window
    Q4 2026 – Q2 2027

    Fully funds phases 02 – 04 below.

  2. Phase 02

    Cast

    Commission the sculptor. Sculpt, mold, and cast the four bronze busts. Fabricate the granite pedestals. Quality control with the originators and their estates.

    Budget
    $175,000 est.
    Window
    Q2 – Q4 2027
  3. Phase 03

    Install

    Site work at Cadillac Square. Monument placement on its pedestal pad, park bench fabrication and installation, speaker pillars wired to a curated Detroit techno program, landscaping and lighting.

    Budget
    $90,000 est.
    Window
    Q1 – Q2 2028
  4. Phase 04

    Open

    Ribbon cutting at Cadillac Square. Opening day programming with originator presentations, performances from Detroit artists, public dedication, and full documentation for press and the historical record.

    Budget
    $35,000 est.
    Date
    Q2 2028
Fund goal
$300,000

= $175K cast + $90K install + $35K open

Unveiling
Q2 2028

Cadillac Square, Detroit

04 Location

Cadillac Square

The proposed site is situated within the central plaza of Cadillac Square, just steps from Hart Plaza — the historic home of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Unlike a traditional indoor exhibit or private gallery, this project creates an open, permanent landmark that places these four originators at the heart of the city's public landscape.

Site  Cadillac Square · 8XJ4+J9
05 Support

Help us build.

All contributions directly fund the bronze sculptures, site prep at Cadillac Square, and a permanent maintenance fund.

For foundation grants or sponsorships: Get in touch →