Public commenters press Detroit officials on Belle Isle lighting and solar project spending

Several members of the public addressing the Detroit City Council committee of the whole on May 20 urged an investigation into lighting failures on Belle Isle and questioned how earlier investments in solar lighting were spent.

A caller identifying herself as “Not That Karen” said the Public Lighting Authority previously claimed to have spent “millions of dollars on a solar project on Belle Isle” but that the island currently has “less than 300 lights” and “the majority of them are out.” She asked the committee to “find out what happened to that solar lighting project” and said restroom facilities on the island should be lit and supplied with warm water.

William M. Davis and Darren McCluskey also raised related concerns. Davis asked that appointment terms not extend far into a new administration and also said city employees parking in the 100 Mack structure were taking scarce street spaces. McCluskey praised the state’s work as a tenant on Belle Isle and said the state has been making improvements after long-term mismanagement. McCluskey also commented on the city’s broader solar-farm strategy, saying acquisition costs have climbed and that the city could consider building or owning solar on its own land.

Public comment is not a formal action item; the committee did not take immediate formal action on Belle Isle lighting during the meeting. Commenters sought follow-up or investigation from relevant city departments and authorities.

Speakers raised a mix of condition and policy concerns: equipment or installation failures on the island’s lighting system, questions about the disposition and results of earlier solar investments, and requests for basic restroom services (lighting and warm water). The committee’s transcript shows these items were delivered during the general public-comment period; no staff report or departmental response was recorded on the record during this session.