A Much-Loved Sculpture in Lyon Township Gets the Chop
Lyon Township, a vibrant community filled with art and creativity, has recently borne witness to a sad and somewhat controversial occurrence. John Sauve, the brains and talent behind the popular 15-foot-high “Orange Man on the Hill” or “Man in the City” sculpture has confirmed that local authorities removed his masterpiece.
The striking and often debated figure had been a fixture in James F. Atchison Memorial Park for a full decade. The artist shared that he received a formal letter from Lyon Township, expressing that they received multiple complaints concerning the sculpture. Rescue from the menace it supposedly posed to kids was a cited reason for the removal.
“It’s upsetting, you know?” John stated. “A quick call would’ve made a huge difference. I would make an effort to find a solution with them rather than having it removed without my knowledge.” Unfortunately, no such call was made.
The formal letter also pointed out to a new addition on the “Orange Man” – lights. As per the authorities, the location of the statue in question was too close to the airport, a fact which perhaps caused safety concerns.
Sauve is facing an arduous task of removing the statue from the park property by Wednesday. If he fails to follow through, the officials plan on disposing of it. The artist is, understandably, distraught: “It’s tough, it costs a lot, and it demands so much effort for it to be relocated or reinstated. However, I prefer to see this as an opportunity. Let’s see how it all unfolds.”
No matter what happens, one thing is for sure – the “Orange Man’s” sudden departure has left a void in the park’s landscape and in the hearts of those who held an affinity for it.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
