Here's a proposal-

How about lobbying for stimulus funding for illuminating Detroit's top 25 [[or more) landmark buildings?

Paris had implemented in the 1990's what is called the Great Works Projects or " Le Grand Travaux". Conceived under Francois Mitterand, and largely completed under Jacques Chirac.

What Paris did was to renovate the Louvre, build the new Biblioteque National, renovate the l'opera Garnier, and with the most impact, lit the city's monuments and public buildings in a golden light, consistent in color and hue, throughout the entire city. The Eiffel Tower, Opera House, Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Napoloeon's Tomb, The Arch, Place de la Concorde, etc., etc.

In Detroit we could propose lighting the DIA, DPL, Fisher Building, Cadillac Center, Penobscot, Guardian, One Woodward, CAY Center, Wayne County Courthouse, area churches, Fox, Masonic Temple, Hurlbut Gate and Waterworks Pumping Station, MCS, Ambassador Bridge, etc.

What is interesting about the Parisian lighting program, is that these buildings are lit completely in the round. From all sides, top to bottom.

Yet another economic engine could be created, using state of the art lighting design, and emerging energy technologies.

It would not only provide ongoing jobs, but would be a high-impact visual which Detroit could really use, and would highlight so much of the city's architectural heritage.

Detroit has few assest left, and to highlight them, and turn them into something to see at night would open new doors to tourism as well. The international press would indeed turn a spotlight [[pun intended) on the city, and in a positive way for a change.

Thoughts please!