Bronson Park is one of the nicer central squares in the state; I've always been a bit jealous of it.
I know it's very unlikely to happen since we just don't much do this anymore in this country, but a soaring monument would be such a great addition to the park, if even just a modern, scaled-down take on the likes of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monuments in Detroit and Indianapolis.
Really, I'd have just been for just reworking the fountain. But it seems that this was really just about using the fountain's controversial nature to remove something that costs a bit to maintain. Most of Lansing's downtown fountains got removed, and it was always put down to the cost of upkeep. The only reason the big historic one in Reutter Park has stayed is just that: It's big and historic and residents would have a fit if they removed it. Given that it was a gift, I bet their is probably some kind of deed restriction attached to it, too.