Committee advances Butch Hollowell reappointment to Public Lighting Authority after interview on neighborhood lighting and jobs

Melvin “Butch” Hollowell, the managing partner of the Miller Law Firm and former corporation counsel for the City of Detroit, told the Internal Operations committee he wants to be reappointed to the Public Lighting Authority to continue work begun under prior bond financings that replaced outdated fixtures with LEDs.

Hollowell said the 2014 bond program and a 2025 refinancing created a stable revenue base that allowed the authority to replace tens of thousands of street lights and promised more work in neighborhoods. “I’d like to see more lights in the neighborhoods — more mid‑block lights, more alley lights — where neighbors tell us they feel unsafe,” Hollowell said, adding that mid‑block fixtures can meaningfully improve quality of life and reduce crime.

Hollowell also discussed workforce development tied to PLA contracts. He said the authority has prioritized Detroit‑based contractors and training programs that connect young people to skilled trades, and urged residents to apply: “If anyone that’s young wants to participate, interface with the Public Lighting Authority online and we’ll pair them with contractors for hands‑on training,” he said.

Council members asked about historic and specialty lighting in preservation districts and whether residents should shoulder the full cost for ornamental fixtures. Hollowell said staff will work with neighborhood groups to identify funding and partnership options and pledged to follow up on areas the committee flagged (including broken lights on Puritan Avenue).

After the interview the committee voted to move Hollowell’s reappointment to the formal session with a recommendation to approve and asked Legal/LPD to draft a resolution for the reappointment.