After years of darkness, residents on two Highland Park streets celebrated a bright milestone this week as new solar-powered streetlights illuminated their neighborhood for the first time in five years.
“It was very terrible. Dark. Couldn’t see anything,” said Highland Park resident Anita Carroll, describing a recent attempted theft of her car. “When I woke up, I thought I left the window down. It was broken. I’m glad they didn’t take it.”
Carroll’s experience reflects the daily challenges faced by residents in this Highland Park neighborhood, where 1,400 streetlight poles were removed in 2011 as part of a settlement when the city owed DTE Energy $4 million in unpaid bills.
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The installation of ten solar lights on Florence and Louise streets marks a significant turning point for residents like Sharon Cotton, who has lived with safety concerns in the unlit neighborhood.
Cotton said living in the dark was scary. “Not knowing who’s gonna run up behind you,” Cotton said. “I’d be running up on my porch, then drop the keys, and then I have to turn around and look around make sure nobody’s running up on me.”
Residents are sharing photos of their newly illuminated streets on social media, celebrating the return of nighttime visibility to their community.
Ken Bates, Soulardarity’s chair, the neighborhood group behind the solar lighting initiative, emphasizes the broader impact of the lighting project.
“Now you have a well-lit block, and nobody can be in the shadows up to the usual stuff. It reassures neighbors,” Bates said. The organization aims to expand the program throughout Highland Park, seeking additional funding through grants and donations to illuminate more neighborhoods.
While ten solar lights may seem modest compared to the 1,400 poles removed over a decade ago, each installation represents progress toward reclaiming the night for Highland Park residents. The success on Florence and Louise streets demonstrates a sustainable solution to a long-standing infrastructure challenge, powered by community determination and renewable energy.
Soulardarity continues to seek funding from grants and philanthropists to expand the solar streetlight program, working toward their goal of comprehensive lighting restoration throughout Highland Park.
To donate to the street light fundraiser, visit here. To donate any amount to Soulardarity, visit here.

