Detroit Evening Report: City begins installation of ‘Detroit’ gateway sign along Interstate 94
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Contractors began installation of the new “Detroit” gateway sign along eastbound Interstate 94 on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Drivers on Interstate 94 in Detroit have a new sight to see. The city began installation of an 8-foot-tall “gateway sign” on Tuesday that will spell out “D-E-T-R-O-I-T” and light up in green and white.
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The sign is located along eastbound I-94 between Central Street and Cecil Avenue. Each letter is being mounted on two-foot-high concrete blocks that will hide behind greenery to give them the appearance of floating.
The Hollywood-style sign, crafted by Fairmount Sign Company, is part of an effort by Detroit city officials to welcome visitors and residents alike to the city ahead of the NFL Draft later this month.
“We’ve come together like a family so that we can host the biggest event, and we want more events to come,” City of Detroit Deputy COO Jessica Parker told the Detroit Free Press. “We’re showing the world that we can host huge events like this. It’s not just the draft; we’re looking at other events coming to Detroit and making sure that other residents and local businesses are feeling included.”
The city is working on five other signs welcoming visitors at other gateway points to Detroit, the Free Press reported, including on I-75 at 8 Mile, I-96 at Telegraph, I-94 at Moross, Southfield at 8 Mile and Southfield at Ford Road — which are all expected to be in place by this time next week.
Other headlines for Tuesday, April 9, 2024:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is cleaning up contaminated soil in River Rouge’s Belanger Park after finding elevated levels of lead and cadmium near certain grassy areas in the park last fall.
- Detroit Metro Airport this week launched a customer rewards program connected to multiple airports across the country with perks such as gift cards, airline miles and cash back for nearly every dollar spent at DTW.
- The Arab American National Museum is offering free admission in April in honor of Arab American Heritage Month.
- Parker Avenue Knits is preparing for the NFL Draft takeover of the city with its own NFL plan – the Neighborhood Fiber League.
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