Bemidji's iconic Babe the Blue Ox statue gets a raise

Aug. 10—BEMIDJI — Photo opportunities with Bemidji's Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues will be limited in the coming weeks, as a construction project has begun to help preserve the statues by improving drainage in the plaza.

In recent years the spring freezes and thaws have resulted in damage to Babe's feet. The statues, which were installed in 1937, have also sustained decades of wear, leading to cracks and

Paul briefly losing an arm in 2021.

Both statues underwent restoration in response to these concerns, but further damage was expected unless the plaza's drainage was addressed.

Installed in 2015 to the tune of $1.6 million, the concrete plaza around the statues has the unfortunate consequence of draining water near Babe, something the current project is aiming to fix.

Phase 1 of the project will involve raising the ox statue by 15 inches to reduce further water damage. Phase 2 of the project will reroute the plaza's drainage, install a catch basin and add a green space to the area.

The Tourist Information Center and the other amenities at Paul Bunyan Park will remain open to the public as construction continues, and work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The project to repair the plaza and preserve the 85-year-old statues was approved by the Bemidji City Council during

its May 16 session,

after initially being brought as a proposal to the council in August 2021.

Phase 1 of the project will be done by Jensen Conservation, while Phase 2 will be managed by Reierson Construction. The cost for the entire project is estimated at $271,187.

Progress of the construction can be watched in real-time via

webcams operated by Visit Bemidji.

Paul and Babe have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, and serve as a large draw for tourism in Bemidji. Further restoration of the statues has been discussed, but no formal decision has been made on when that project may occur.