Meet Detroit’s first solar powered neighborhood

- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials have unveiled plans for the city's first three solar neighborhoods, set to begin construction in spring.
- The solar fields at Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair will generate 21 megawatts of renewable energy for 127 city buildings, while also featuring community gardens and food production under the panels in two neighborhoods.
-Some residents express concerns about the project's impact on land use and open spaces in historically disinvested areas.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials shared finalized designs for the city’s first three solar neighborhoods.

The solar fields, planned for Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair are set to begin construction in spring as part of a broader initiative to generate renewable energy to power municipal buildings.

The solar projects are expected to produce 21 megawatts of renewable energy to power 127 city buildings while also incorporating community gardens and food production underneath the solar panels in two of the neighborhoods. 

Some residents and advocates have raised concerns about how the project will impact land use and the availability of open spaces in neighborhoods that have historically faced disinvestment. While many support the initiative for its sustainability goals, others have questioned whether the benefits will be equitably distributed or if the projects could further exacerbate disparities.