The City of Detroit, the City of Detroit Downtown Development
Authority (DDA), the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), and Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) have collaborated to install 1,077 new
high-efficiency LED street lights in key areas of Downtown Detroit.
Detroit Public Lighting crews are replacing old fixtures with new LED
lamps along streets that make up nearly half of the central business
district:
- Woodward Ave. from I-75 to Jefferson Ave.
- Cadillac Square from Campus Martius to Randolph St.
- Griswold St. from Fort St. to Jefferson Ave.
- Congress St. from Beaubien St. to First St.
- Larned St. from Beaubien St. to Washington Blvd.
- The streets near Comerica Park and Ford Field
- The Paradise Valley area (formerly known as Harmonie Park)
- An area bounded by I-375, Larned St., Beaubien St., and Congress St.,
adjacent to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan campus
- Jefferson Ave. from Cobo Convention Center to I-375
- Certain sections of Moncalm St., Randolph St., and Park Ave.
"This project has a double benefit," said Mayor Dave Bing. "It creates
a more comfortable environment for downtown workers, residents and
visitors, and the high-efficiency lamps will immediately start saving
money. I look forward to creating more of these opportunities through
collaborations in other business districts and neighborhoods." Approval
of the downtown lighting plan and beginning installations follows City
Council approval of Mayor Bing's proposal to repair 5,000 streetlights
citywide.
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), acting on behalf of the
DDA, is managing the project for the collaboration. "This is a strong
economic development project, because we know that feet on the street
attract new business investments," said George W. Jackson, Jr.,
president and CEO of DEGC.
The DDA has identified $1.22 million from its own funds and U.S.
Department of Energy grants, and a contribution from the Detroit
Downtown Partnership of $87,500, made possible by Blue Cross Blue
Shield, for a total project cost of $1.3 million.
"Safety and security is one of the DDP's key initiatives," said David
Blaszkiewicz, president and CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
"This lighting project not only enhances safety and security for
Detroit's residents, employees and visitors, it is also a sound
addition to the city economically and environmentally. This effort is a
terrific example of what the strong partnership between the city, DEGC
and the business community can accomplish. We hope to continue this
effort throughout the entire downtown neighborhood."
One of the areas of new lighting includes what Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan is calling its "BLUPath" between its main campus and
expanded offices in Towers 500 and 600 of the Renaissance Center. BCBSM
CEO Daniel Loepp plans to showcase other pedestrian amenities along the
BLUPath to employees and media on Friday, Nov. 18.
"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is delighted to partner with the
City of Detroit, DDP and the DEGC in an initiative that makes Detroit a
safer and more energy efficient place to work, live and play," said
BCBSM President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp.
The light fixtures were carefully chosen to meet energy-efficiency and
durability, and roadway lighting requirements, but also to fit in with
the streetscapes, and provide lighting that is attractive and inviting
to pedestrians. The new lighting will save money three ways:
- Each new LED lamp draws an average of 240 watts of power compared to
the 400 watts needed by the existing lamps, yet the light output is the
same. The energy cost savings by replacing more than 1,000 lamps is
almost $57,000 per year.
- Since the bulbs last about 10 years, compared to the three-year
lifespan of the existing lamps, the City will also save substantially
on the cost of bulbs and the labor to replace them.
- Finally, by reducing the overall load on the downtown street lighting
system, Detroit Public Lighting Department officials expect
significantly fewer costly power outages from overloads.
One of the distributors of the light fixtures, Hercules and Hercules, Inc. is a Detroit-based business.
Media Advisory
Editors Note:
A Detroit Public Lighting Dept. crew is installing the new lamps.
Please call if you are sending a videographer or photographer to record
the installation. We will also try to make available a spokesperson for
DEGC. Contact: Bob Rossbach, 313-402-9831 or Sharon McMurray,
313-300-5494.
Background
About Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) serves as the lead
implementing agency for business retention, attraction and economic
development initiatives in the city of Detroit. DEGC is led by a
60-member board comprised of business, civic, labor and community
leaders. Its 35 professionals provide staff services for key public
authorities that offer tax credits and other forms of financing for
projects that bring new jobs or economic activity to the city. Among
them: the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Detroit Brownfield
Redevelopment Authority (DBRA), Economic Development Corporation (EDC),
Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC), Local Development Finance
Authority (LDFA), and Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). DEGC also
provides planning, project management and other services under contract
to the City of Detroit. For more information, visit degc.org
About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is a private/public partnership of
corporate and civic leaders that supports, advocates and develops
programs and initiatives that create a clean, vibrant, safe, beautiful,
inviting and economically strong Downtown Detroit community. Its public
partners are the City of Detroit, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation,
Wayne County and the State of Michigan. For more information visit
downtowndetroit.org.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides and administers health
benefits to 4.3 million members residing in Michigan and members of
Michigan-headquartered groups that reside outside the state. Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit
corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association. For more company information visit bcbsm.com.
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Media Contacts:
For DEGC
Bob Rossbach, 313-402-9831
or Sharon McMurray, 313-300-5494 For DDP
Marge Sorge, 313-879-2441 For BCBSM
Stephanie Baron, 313-983-0878 |