ESCANABA — The Escanaba City Council made a donation to support updates to the Delta Astronomical Society’s Planet Walk on Ludington Street.

“I think it’s an absolutely wonderful project and I have received just personally lots of comments from tourists. That’s the number one thing that I’ve heard from tourists … over and over and over,” Escanaba Council Member Karen Moore told Dan Young, of the Delta Astronomical Society, during Thursday’s city council meeting.

Young attended the meeting to present an update on the society’s project to update the placards and make repairs to the scale model of the solar system that runs along Ludington Street. During the project Young explained the financial aspects of the project, which still needed funding, and how individuals could make donations or adopt placards to help offset costs.

“We have another $800 dollars that we have to raise and there will also be some expenses for things like there’s a broken … wooden (pedestal),” said Young.

Young asked the city to help install the new fixtures and for support in helping promote the campaign to pay for the project, but the council had other plans.

“I appreciate that you haven’t asked the city for money but I would like to see some sort of funding put into our budget if possible — or this year’s budget,” said Council Member Ron Beauchamp.

City Manager Jim McNeil told the council that a donation to the society could be made in the current fiscal year. The funds would be drawn from the city’s community promotional or tourism promotional funds, which are already in need of budget amendments, streamlining the process.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved giving a donation of up to $1,500 to the society for the Planet Walk. The city will also complete the installation and repair work as requested.

“I think they’re going to be much better looking and something we can be proud of,” said Young, who thanked the council for the donation.

The society hopes to have the project completed by May 31.