Northwest Wayne News

Partners at DTE lit the sign last night, and it’s beautiful," said a spokesperson for the project. Landscaping will be completed this week, area fenced off to help prevent sign fans from being injured.

"District 6 Manager, Eva Torres, grew up in the neighborhood where the Gateway sign has been built. She led community engagement with the residents in the area surrounding the sign to make sure their voices were heard."

"The mayor’s administration would like to thank our partners at City Council for approving the contract for the creation of all six of these signs unanimously – a 9-0 vote, passed with a waiver, meaning there would be no reconsideration of the contract."

The city of Detroit initiated a competitive bid process in August 2023 for the creation of a total of six signs to be placed along freeways to welcome residents and visitors to the city, to be completed in time for the NFL Draft. Fairmont Sign Company, a Detroit-based, family-owned, and operated business, was selected as the vendor for the project.

"The total amount of the contract was $425,434, coming from the city’s general fund. The cost for the DETROIT letters was $269,275, and the total cost for the five smaller Welcome to Detroit signs was $135,900."

The project took collaboration with partners at DTE, MDOT, and the Federal Highway Administration, who ensured both the sign and the fencing would comply with requirements set forth to protect the safety of drivers along I-94.

Five additional Welcome to Detroit signs will be placed at specific locations around the city in the coming week, including SB M-39 at 8 Mile Rd., NB M-39 at Ford Rd., SB I-75 at 8 Mile Rd., EB I-96 at Telegraph, and WB I-94 at Moross.