Council advances $1.5M grant application to add solar and battery backup at Adams Butzel recreation center
Summary
The committee moved to forward a grant application to the Michigan Public Service Commission seeking $1.5 million to install solar panels and battery storage at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center to enable operation during outages; the application requires no city match.
Detroit City Council advanced an authorization to submit a grant application to the Michigan Public Service Commission seeking approximately $1.5 million to install solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center.
City staff described the project as intended to keep the recreation center operational during power outages by installing solar panels and on-site battery storage. The administration said the grant application requires no city match. The committee moved the item (line 6.11) to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
Council members expressed support for rooftop solar on city facilities and asked that staff provide details in advance of the formal council vote. The item will return to the council’s formal session for final approval and any stipulations tied to grant conditions or matching requirements, though the administration said no local match is required for this application.

