Start saying your goodbyes to the Public Lighting Department.
Detroit's Emergency Manger Kevyn Orr announced Thursday that the department will begin transfer its customers to DTE Energy while the Public Lighting Authority updates/figures out what to do with Detroit's terribly outdated grid.
According to the Detroit News:
Detroit will phase out providing energy through the Public Lighting Department to approximately 115 customers at 1,400 sites throughout the Metro Detroit area. Customers include Wayne State University, the Detroit Public Schools, Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Center and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The system has been a financial burden on the city, operating at an annual loss of approximately $150 million over the past five years, officials said.
Orr, in a released statement said the system has not made any improvements in nearly a decade and residents will see a significant improvement with the move.
Odis JonesDTE will replace meters for all department customers over the next six to nine months. Over the next five to seven years, DTE will expand its system to handle the added load and the lighting department will decommission its equipment. DTE agreed in principle to reimburse PLD for operation costs.
This news comes just after the announcement that Detroit native Odis Jones will head up the Public Lighting Authority starting July 15. Jones left a position as Cincinnati's economic development director.
The Public Lighting Authority began holding public meetings this week to discuss lighting issues in neighborhoods around Detroit. Find one near you with this map.
