MARQUETTE -- The Father Marquette statue on Front Street will be cleaned up sooner than expected.
Earlier this week, Marquette Police were notified of suspected vandalism on the historical landmark. It appeared to have been spray painted red from top to bottom.
But fortunately, a restoration group based in Detroit was in town this weekend. On Saturday, they cleaned up the mess with the use of Q-tips.
"The paint is in a very detailed spot plus the solvent is very powerful so you don't want to do too much, too quickly," said John Eagan of Venus Bronze Works.
The Marquette Beautification Committee had invited the workers to take new molds of the statue's plaque.
That damage was not involved in the suspected vandalism this week.
The city plans to hold a centennial celebration of the statue next summer.
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