• Mayor signs Executive Order directing PLA to implement City-wide neighborhood lighting improvements
• Plan keeps promise Mayor made to residents during her campaign to bring neighborhood-level changes that Detroiters see and feel
• The PLA initiative will install thousands of additional lights on residential blocks to improve public safety and quality of life
• City and PLA announce dates for April community input meetings; installation to begin in summer

Concerned about dark and underlit areas, Detroit residents in neighborhoods across the city have been advocating for better lighting on their blocks for years. Today, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced that she has heard those calls and is directing the Public Lighting Authority (PLA) to implement a plan to answer them.

Mayor Sheffield and leadership from the PLA gathered in front of longtime resident Cynthia Loggins' home to unveil plans to install at least 3,000 new mid-block lights on neighborhood residential streets. The Sheffield Administration's plan will prioritize installing lighting in the "mid-block" areas of Detroit neighborhoods, in many cases doubling visibility between corner lights all across Detroit as a result.

Mayor Sheffield has long advocated for this improvement, first as City Council President and throughout her mayoral campaign. On Thursday evening, she signed an Executive Order directing the PLA to use available resources to prioritize critical lighting needs in order to support Detroit residents.

"For years while on Council, I heard from residents who were concerned about dark areas on their block, which is why improving mid-block lighting to enhance safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods has been among my most urgent priorities," Mayor Sheffield said. "Detroiters deserve to feel safe walking in their own neighborhood and this partnership with the PLA will help deliver that."

"Mayor Mary Sheffield and the Public Lighting Authority are restoring my peace of mind by restoring the light on my street," Loggins said. "It's giving me a sense of security."

The project, made possible by a $1M Mayor Sheffield budget allocation, is part of a major effort to improve neighborhood safety and quality of life, specifically in Detroit's neighborhoods. Available PLA funding will cover capital costs, as well as the additional cost of powering and maintaining the new lights.

In 2014 through widespread efforts to address inefficient and non-working streetlights, the city was upgraded to meet national illumination standards and restore lighting across main corridors and intersections; however, many residential blocks saw some existing lights removed and never replaced. For years since, residents have raised concerns about dark areas on their streets

"The 2014 lighting overhaul rebuilt Detroit's system and set up a strong foundation, but the design approach at the time left gaps in mid-block coverage on many residential streets," said Public Lighting Authority Executive Director Beau Taylor. "This initiative reflects the Mayor's commitment to addressing those needs, going back into neighborhoods with a more community-centered approach and placing lights where they will have the greatest impact on safety and visibility.

Detroit City Council President James Tate said, "Improving neighborhood lighting is essential to safety and quality of life. The mayor's focus on mid-block lighting reflects what residents have shared with us for years. I appreciate the administration's outreach, and as engagement continues, we will work together to ensure the final plan reflects community priorities and responsible stewardship of city resources."

This initiative represents Phase 1 of a broader effort to address additional lighting needs across Detroit. Future phases may include alley lighting and decorative lighting improvements in some of the city's historic districts.

Mayor Sheffield is joined by City and PLA officials and community members as she signs an Executive Order directing the Public Lighting Authority to utilize available funding to address areas of critical lighting needs across the city.

This map of City Council District 3 shows blocks by length (300 feet to 1,000 feet), where additional mid block lights may be added based on existing lighting and the length of the block. The Mid Block Lighting Plan will span all 7 city council districts.

City, PLA to host Phase 1 community input meetings

Before finalizing the lighting plan, the City of Detroit and the PLA will host a series of community input meetings in every City Council district during the month of April. At these meetings, residents will have the opportunity to review existing lighting data and provide feedback about where additional mid-block lighting is most needed. Meeting outcomes will guide the final placement of lights to ensure the investment reflects neighborhood priorities.

Community Meeting Schedule

District Date Location

District 1 April 13 Crowell Rec Center, 16630 Lahser

District 2 April 15 Adams Butzel Rec Center, 10500 Lyndon

District 3 April 20 Farwell Rec Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive

District 4 April 22 AB Ford Community Center, 100 Lenox Ave

District 5 April 27 Coleman Young Rec Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Drive

District 6 April 29 Roberto Clemente Rec Center, 2631 Bagley Ave.

District 7 April 30 Carpenters & Millwrights Regional HQ, 11687 American

All community meetings will be held from 6 - 8 p.m.

Following community engagement, the final plan will be presented for approval by the PLA Board and Detroit City Council, with the goal of securing those approvals in June.

Installation of the first lights is expected to begin in early July, with the goal of completing Phase 1 installations by November 2026.

About the Public Lighting Authority

The Public Lighting Authority provides reliable, efficient, and sustainable lighting services to the city of Detroit. Established to improve public safety, reduce energy costs, and enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses, the PLA is committed to innovation and community engagement in urban infrastructure development. As a separate legal entity from the City of Detroit, the Public Lighting Authority is dedicated to maintaining the streetlights in Detroit, responding to residents' needs and ensuring that the city's new LED streetlight system will continue to shine for years to come.