HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – After more than a decade of dark streets, Highland Park residents will see more light in their neighborhoods under a city-approved pilot program that expands an existing solar streetlight effort.
This week, the city council approved the installation of 50 additional solar-powered streetlights through a continued partnership between Solartonic, a Southeast Michigan-based Company, and Highland Park nonprofit Soulardarity.
The vote adds to the 10 lights already installed along Florence and Louise streets, bringing the total planned over the next five years to 60 lights maintained by the two organizations.
More than a decade ago, Highland Park lost roughly 1,400 streetlights when the utility company DTE removed poles after unpaid bills.
For many residents, the absence of public lighting has affected night‑time safety and quality of life.
Residents noticed a change starting about five months ago when the first solar lights began appearing along a short stretch of Louise and Florence avenues.
“That end is lit up. It’s very lit up. So, it’s definitely improved the seeing quality on that end,” resident Muhammad Abdul Rahim said, describing the immediate difference the new lights made.
Neighbors say the lights are already helping in practical ways. Rahim, who still lives on a darker portion of the street, said the arrival of light has made a visible improvement.
“Basically, if you don’t have lights on your house, you’re not going to see at night,” said Rahim. Because his section remains unlit, he has installed motion-sensored lighting on his property.
“In the nighttime. I’ve adjusted it. When the cars go by anybody walks by. It’s motion-sensored,” Rahim said, explaining a personal measure taken to increase safety until public lights arrive.
During Monday’s (Oct. 20) council meeting, organizers said funding from the Michigan Public Service Commission is helping cover costs for the additional streetlights.
Under the pilot agreement, Soulardarity and Solartonic will install and be responsible for maintaining the solar lights for the five‑year term of the program.
“Aw, that’s a great thing for the city. We definitely need it,” Rahim said, echoing community support for the move.
Representatives from Solartonic said they’ve been working with Soulardarity for about 10 years. Installation of the new lights is expected to be completed sometime next year.