What is that beam of light?

[ParisianLesion]

Pardon the momentary sidetrack. What is the new construction on the north side of the DTE headquarters, and across from the MGM parking structure? Are they just expanding the headquarters?

Yes, they are essentially expanding the headquarters. The new building is going to be DTE's Electric Strategic Operations Center or ESOC. It will provide a major upgrade to the central control and command of DTE's electrical grid. There is a second, smaller building being built next to it as well but I do not recall right now what that is for.

[pjbear05]

On an episode of “Pickers” they went to a warehouse somewhere in Detroit that had a number of old school beacons. The kind they used for grand openings and big events back in the day. I think the city should buy them all and place them in a ring around beacon park. When they have an event they could light them and have them articulate. It would be a great display!

How many folks remember Detroit Searchlight Co. on Westbound 8 Mile West of Schoenerr? Carbon arc light beacons powered by generators, used to show up at car dealerships, carnivals,etc.

[One Shot]

I remember the search lights at the car lots and stores like art van!

[sirrealone]

Erebus, the big haunted house in Pontiac, still uses search lights on the weekends in the weeks leading up to Halloween.