Michelin North America Inc. began a $1 million renovation of the giant Uniroyal tire landmark Aug. 11 in Detroit, the tire maker said.
The landmark-a giant tire originally created as a Ferris wheel attraction for the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair-will be restored to contribute to Detroit's I-94 corridor revitalization plan. A Michelin spokeswoman said the renovation should take two to three months as workers repaint the structure, fix lighting and repair other cosmetic features.
Crews also will correct rusting in the tire's structure. It stands 80 feet high, weighs 12 tons and its tread is a half-foot deep.