The Public Lighting Authority of Detroit will formally complete the installation of historically styled street lights in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood with a community ceremony. Mayor Mike Duggan, Sherwood Forest Association President Maurice Telesford, PLA Board Chair Dr. Lorna Thomas and PLA CEO Odis Jones will turn on the 96 new lights that have been installed throughout the northwest Detroit neighborhood.
The lights were installed under an agreement in which the Sherwood Forest Association provided the additional funds needed to cover the difference in cost between the standard light pole being installed in other parts of the city, and the historically styled poles installed in the neighborhood. The poles were chosen by the association. The agreement was reached under a PLA program that accommodates neighborhoods who want to choose an alternate pole and pay the difference in cost.
We wanted something that reflects the charm and character of our homes, said Maurice Telesford, Sherwood Forest Association President. “Most are from the 1920s, so we wanted a pole that looks like its from that time period.” But the historic lights are a $65,000 upgrade and the association didn’t have the money. So they usedthe crowdsourcing site GoFundMe to raise the additional fund.
Sherwood Forest is designated as an historic district, with some homes dating back to 1918. Homeowners are not allowed change exteriors to deviate from the historic look, so the modern lights from the public lighting authority would look out-of-place.
The ceremony will take place at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, at the intersection of Canterbury, Cambridge and Kingston Streets in Sherwood Forest.
rogram Participants
- Mayor Mike Duggan
- Sherwood Forest Association President Maurice Telesford
- PLA Board Chair Lorna Thomas
- PLA CEO Odis Jones
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