Almost a year after it was announced that Chene Park would be renamed the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, that idea now has become a reality.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, along with members of the Detroit City Council, Franklin's family members and entertainment service company, The Right Productions, celebrated the official renaming of the concert venue Friday morning.

The dedication event also unveiled a digital marquee with the new name.

Skidmore Studio, a specialized creative studio based in Detroit for 60 years, designed the concert venue's new logo.

Duggan noted how much the entertainer enjoyed performing at Chene Park and that her 2015 concert at the venue was "one of the most memorable concerts to ever occur here."

"She went on well past midnight, till she finished to the roar of the crowd and R-E-S-P-E-C-T," he said.

"Today, this daughter of Detroit has a permanent memorial. She brought joy to millions around the world, and now on this beautiful riverfront, people will enjoy music for years to come and Detroiters will be saying for years, 'Tonight, I'm going to the Aretha.' "

The name change was announced by Duggan at Franklin's funeral last August. Days later, the Detroit City Council unanimously approved the proposal.

"It is befitting that Chene Park be renamed in honor of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who gave so much to this city and made significant contributions to the musical legacy of Detroit and the world," said Council President Brenda Jones in a news release.

"Today is truly a great day. I know that Aretha is looking down on us."

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The theater is one of many honors the singer has received since her Aug. 16 death from pancreatic cancer. In February, the House Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill that will rename a portion of the Lodge Freeway in Detroit after Franklin.

Then in April, Franklin was honored with a special Pulitzer Prize for her decades of achievement, becoming the first woman to receive the award.

"We are very excited about the renaming and very grateful and thankful to everyone who is involved in the process," said Franklin's son, Kecalf, in a written statement.

Sabrina Owens, Franklin's niece, also made an appearance at the grand opening.

"She loved Chene Park, she loved Detroit and she loved you," she said. "Thank you for all the love and support that you have shown to Aretha and our family over the years. We will always remember you for this, and the kindness you have shown us over the past several months."

In addition to the unveiling of the marquee, venue operator Shahida Mausi announced that the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre has been honored with a 25-year award for sustaining excellence in design by the Detroit chapter of the Michigan American Institute of Architects.

The summer concert season for the venue will kick off June 1 with radio personality Tom Joyner's, "One More Time Experience" featuring Detroit singer, Kem. Other acts scheduled to hit the stage this season include Charlie Wilson and The Whispers, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock and Gladys Knight.

The box office for the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater will be open weekdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.