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Residents urge Highland Park to halt installation of Solar Tonic streetlights on historic Moss Street
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they oppose planned Solar Tonic solar streetlights on Moss Street’s historic block, saying the fixtures clash with the neighborhood’s historic character and that the city should deploy lights where they are more needed.
Several residents addressed the Highland Park City Council during the Nov. 3 citizens‑participation period to oppose planned solar streetlight installations by a private company identified in public comment as Solar Tonic.
Ben Brigance, a resident who lives at 65 Moss Street, told the council the proposed black fixtures would be a poor aesthetic fit for the block’s historic homes. "They're cold, they're painted black, and many of them have been poorly installed," Brigance said. He asked the council to prevent the lights from being installed on his historic block and suggested the fixtures would be better sited on darker, higher‑need blocks.
Reverend Robert Douglas Lodge Jr. and other speakers echoed concerns about transparency and said residents had not received enough notice or information before the council moved forward with a decision. One councilmember told the public they had not voted for the lights and raised transparency concerns; other councilmembers said lighting is necessary to encourage population growth and public safety on some blocks.
Council discussion after public comment included references to past removal of street lights by DTE and the need to increase the city’s population and amenities. Council members encouraged residents to review past meeting videos and to continue attending meetings as the city pursues infrastructure and redevelopment projects.
The meeting record does not show an executed contract or a final council vote on the specific Solar Tonic installation locations during the Nov. 3 session; residents’ statements and council remarks at the meeting indicated the issue is proceeding at the administrative level and remains subject to further information and placement decisions.
