(The Center Square) – The city of Detroit spent $425,000 on six signs to welcome visitors to the NFL draft.
Prior NFL drafts have drawn up to 300,000 visitors.
The 8-feet-tall letters are displayed on Eastbound I-94 and cost $269,275 per sign while the other “Welcome to Detroit” signs each cost $22,650.
The Center Square obtained the 51-page contract via a records request.
The larger sign lights up at night. Some welcomed the signs while others criticized it. Local rapper Gmac Cash said: “You can take it back.” However, many Detroiters warmed up to the sign after seeing it lit up at night.
The freestanding letters with a backlit panel cost $142,325, the raised concrete foundations and sign installation cost $97,500, and the permit, acquisition, lane closures, and barricading cost $13,000.
Five smaller “Welcome to Detroit” signs will be enacted at Southbound M-39 at 8 Mile Road, Northbound M-39 at Ford Road, Southbound I-75 at 8 Mile Road, Eastbound I-96 at Telegraph Road, Westbound I-94 at Moross Road.
The five gateway berm signs cost $2,750, while the concrete installations and sign installation cost $11,700, and permit, acquisition, lane closure, and barricading cost $7,000.
The Anderson Economic Group estimated the three-day football draft event could have a direct economic impact of $97 million.
The spending follows Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan saying the city will “reintroduce” itself to America 10 years post-bankruptcy as the Motor City garnered a two-notch bond rating increase from Moody’s Investors Services, returning Motor City to investment-grade status for the first time since 2009.
S&P Global Ratings also boosted Detroit’s unlimited-tax general obligation debt rating.
The improved ratings based on a growing tax base will make borrowing money cheaper for Detroit.
Detroit enacted a $2.8 billion budget through fiscal year 2025. Duggan’s proposed budget aims to fund $20 million for capital improvements to City facilities and parks, $17.5 million for cleanup on freeways, alleys, commercial corridors, and land bank properties, and $15 million for blighted properties ordered demolished.
$14 million for police overtime to support extra patrol and surge coverage$10 million for a one-time supplemental benefit for legacy retirees$4.5 million for Motor City Match and Grow Detroit’s Young Talent$3 million for Fire/EMS overtime to support new recruit transition$2.8. million for the Affordable Housing Development and Preservation Fund, on top of $350,000 in recurring budget
