Light poles on Ann Arbor's iconic Main Street rusting from the inside out
Ann Arbor's city staff snapped this photo in April 2012, showing how streetlight poles on Main Street are rusting on the inside. The poles are corroding under the decorative bases.
City of Ann Arbor
The light poles are rotting from the inside out, and internal rusting already caused two them to topple from storm winds last year.
Two others were deemed in immediate risk of falling and were replaced.
The estimated $516,000 cost to replace the streetlights on Main Street includes new decorative poles with banner brackets and LED light fixtures — including two poles that will be taller to accommodate banners being strung across Main Street for special events.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"Replacing the poles is urgent," said Mayor John Hieftje. "From what staff has told me, if we were to have a good wind storm, we could see several of the poles come down."
Hieftje said his biggest fear is one of the light poles could fall and injure someone, and that's not something anyone wants to see happen.
"Main Street is kind of an iconic spot in our town," Hieftje said. "And to have the light poles falling over in one of the areas of our city that people identify with, that sounds like a disaster to me."
The estimated $516,000 cost to replace the streetlights on Main Street includes new decorative poles with banner brackets and LED light fixtures — including two poles that will be taller to accommodate banners being strung across Main Street for special events.
The Downtown Development Authority's governing board voted last week to appropriate $300,000, leaving another $216,000 for the Council Council to approve.
The council meets next on July 15.
DDA officials said the decorative streetlights — including some with multiple LED globes — have become an important symbol of the Main Street commercial area.
DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay said she believes they were installed sometime in the early 1980s, one of the first installations of pedestrian-scale lighting in the DDA's history.
"It's hard to see it on the outside, but on the inside they are deteriorating — rusting. Water has gotten in," Pollay explained. "And so city staff have been trying to figure out a way to get them replaced as part of the city budget process. It was resolved the DDA was to assign $300,000 to this project."
The $300,000 from the DDA is coming from property taxes paid by downtown property owners that go to the DDA. The DDA nets about 17 percent of property taxes from downtown properties.
Internal rusting already caused two light poles on Main Street to topple from storm winds last year. Two others were preemptively replaced.
City of Ann Arbor
She said city staff members have let the DDA know the new-generation streetlight poles don't have the same problem and have proven to be far more durable.
The project will include replacing the globe fixtures with new LED lights. Craig Hupy, the city's public services administrator, said though the LED lights on Main Street are newer, it makes sense to replace them at the same time as the light pole replacement.
"The LEDs that are there are nearly first generation with a life expectancy of about 8-10 years," Hupy said. "Current technology is for LEDs that last up to 20 years."
Hupy said there is a major expense in taking out the LED "guts" and putting them back in a new globe, only to repeat the process in about five years. That's why he believes it makes sense to put the new LEDs in now and not worry about revisiting them for potentially 20 years.
City staff discovered the poles were corroding under the decorative bases last year after two of them fell. Hupy said most of the others still standing are in a deteriorated state.
Pollay said the replacement of the rusted-out streetlights is expected to start in September and finish by the end of the year. The effort is being coordinated with the Main Street Area Association, taking into consideration holiday lighting plug-ins and banners that hang from the poles.
Maura Thomson, executive director of the Main Street Area Association, said she's glad to know new streetlights are on the way.
"They are in desperate need," she said. "This is great news for Main Street."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
David Paris
Sat, Jul 13, 2013 : 8:41 p.m.
It's great that the light bulbs were expected to go 10 years before requiring maintenance, not so much for the poles that hold them up, apparently. Reminds me of Alice Cooper's "Unfinished Sweet"... "My teeth are okay, but my gums gotta go".
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Could this corrosion be the result of the handiwork of the "fleeing urinator"?
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
"said though the LED lights on Main Street are newer, it makes sense to replace them at the same time as the light pole replacement." How and where will the old LED assemblies be disposed of?
Bertha Venation
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
This is why it is so important to spend our tax dollars on "Art."
Dan Patterson
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:44 p.m.
Sorry if this was already posted earlier, but there would be significant cost savings, both labor and material, if they only replaced the poles, and re-installed the existing light fixtures on the new poles. Also, the new poles should probably be specified either aluminum, or if steel, then with a highway-grade finish appropriate to withstand the salt spray.
Brad
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
I'd be in favor of "upcycling" the old LED fixtures onto the new poles as well. We're supposed to re-use here, right ? Sounds like they have at least another 5 years left in them, and in 5 years we'll likely have better technology to replace them with.
Brad
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:08 p.m.
Sounds like this is a common pole problem and the way you keep on top of it is with ultrasonic testing of the poles. I saw an ad from one company that provides this service and they were talking about the cost savings. They said it averaged $1K to replace a pole that was still standing, while it was a $3K average to replace a fallen one. So how did we get to $6K per pole (most of them standing for now)? I know everything in Ann Arbor is above average and all, but that does seem particularly high.
Dan Patterson
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
+1 on Brad's ultrasonic testing comment. To answer the question about the cost, the higher cost is likely due to 1. several poles having a cluster of light fixtures, instead of just one fixture. 2. the cost of the banner brackets, which can be expensive if engineered correctly to break away in especially high winds, so the entire pole doesn't blow over. 3. more aesthetically pleasing poles and fixtures than those in the $1k-$3k quoted figures. It would be much cheaper to only replace the poles, and re-use the new LED fixtures they already bought. See my comment below.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 5:58 a.m.
"Main Street is kind of an iconic spot in our town," Hieftje said. "And to have the light poles falling over in one of the areas of our city that people identify with, that sounds like a disaster to me." Translation from Standard Hieftjees : This would make me look bad. Not surprising since Hieftje is an officially signed-on fan of NYC Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. (He of the large-size soft drink ban, among other Bannish Myths.) Several of the commenters have nailed the flaw in these light poles: bi-metalic electrolysis induced & accelerated by the introduction of salty water. Basic high school chemistry, folks. But everyone's missed a key element here: purchasing departments. In this case: whoever was responsible for actually acquiring these outdoor lighting units. As a former purchasing professional, this story makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. I asked myself how I would have proceeded if I had been given the task of acquiring outdoor lighting units of this kind. And I start to laugh because of the plentiful memories of PHONE CALLS I made in pursuit of acquiring such equipment when I was still working as a purchasing agent. What's funny? What's funny is HOW MUCH YOU CAN LEARN about things like "bi-metalic electrolysis induced & accelerated by the introduction of salty water" - in just a few minutes conversation with the RELIABLE sources a purchasing agent MAINTAINS routinely. What you've read in this story, fellow Ann Arbor citizens, is just part of the story. What you've read is for "public consumption." Or should that be "public deception?" The public cannot decide on anything unless the public is fully informed on the issue. Does anyone believe that politicians don't know this and make use of it for political gain? If you want to know how public monies are spent - don't ask the politicians involved.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 2:31 p.m.
@Brad: your version is completely acceptable. I "quibble" (almost by habit) because I know that, given the conditions described, bi-metallic electrolysis is inevitable. This is why I was a very good purchasing agent but a really bad salesman. :-) Still I wanted people to know that a better job of purchasing would have avoided getting an inferior product. The politicians (then and now) never pay attention to the HOW, they're only interested in making promises (as they did in this case). I also agree with your rough cost analysis. But again, I suspect that Ann Arbor doesn't have a good purchasing department. Best wishes.
Brad
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:04 p.m.
Can't have light poles falling on the tourists, can we? As far as the electrolysis theory, it sounds like more of a matter of: 1) water gets inside pole 2) gravity being what it is, water goes to bottom of pole 3) bottom of pole is sealed, so water doesn't drain 4) pole rusts from inside out at the bottom
Shi Schultz
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 3:16 a.m.
Maybe they could sell the old light heads at recycle Ann Arbor to try and recoup some money? or donate them to the city of Detroit where they could put them to use?
ArthGuinness
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
I hope the new ones only direct light downwards to reduce light pollution.
NSider
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11:43 a.m.
Thank you, and I wholeheartedly agree. If only they would do that with all the outdoor lights!
kat
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:38 a.m.
why isn't the manufacturer at fault?
cibachrome
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
It clearly looks like the POLES are failing, not the LIGHT BARS. Please tell me they are only going to replace the POLES and not pay for all new poles and light fixtures. This may have been caused by having steel poles and aluminum fixtures. That's a corrosion problem, not a rust problem and probably contributed to by some funky electrical grounding circuit (or lack of one). As in hot water tank corrosion details.
Goober
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:06 a.m.
I believe we need much more data to reach any sound, factual conclusion of the true root cause or causes, don't you?
LarryJ
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:07 p.m.
A few suggestions: 1. Get lights where ALL THE LIGHT COMES DOWNWARD. Help diminish light pollution includng the ugly pink glow over the city, in addition to paying for wasted light directed upward. 2. Replace them with half as many lights. At night, there's nothing wrong with a little darkness. 3. LEDs, of course.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
All these references to LEDs saving money; didn't I read before that it turned out DTE just charged a steady price for lighting the street, and using les electricity just didn't matter? So there was to be 0 savings in terms of electric bill? A2.com, did something change since that was the case?
Jon Saalberg
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
Residing as we all do in a salt bath of a winter environment, it seems astoundingly unwise that these lights were purchased in the first place. Wasn't there any investigation done into the durability of these lights in such places where winter means a healthy coating of salt on anything near the roadways, including light poles? Can we really trust a city administration that spends money as if they are printing it? Though I suppose this $300,000 expenditure is a drop in the bucket, next to $50,000,000 for a fancy parking deck that is never full.
CynicA2
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
Emblematic of all things Hieftje - quaint on the surface, while the infrastructure that holds it together rapidly deteriorates from the inside. Rust never sleeps, Johnny! This is just too good... !
Dobsonion
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 9:19 p.m.
The self-destruction is a blessing in disguise. These lights violate principles of good design (ugly when off, induce prison-yard glare when on) and efficiency (only a small fraction of the total light goes down towards the road & sidewalk). This is a wonderful opportunity for a do-over.
janejane
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
From an earlier AA News report: www.a2gov.org/government/.../systems_planning/ "The City of Ann Arbor is installing LED streetlights in order to reduce lighting costs and greenhouse gas emissions. After successfully piloting an LED replacement for our downtown "globe" lights, the City received a $630,000 grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority to fund retrofits for over 1,000 downtown lights. This initial installation will save the City over $100,000 per year, reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 267 tones CO2e." So, now that the poles have rusted and the lights have burned out, how much more will this cost? Somehow the numbers seems staggering. And what local company will get this sale? Just curious....nice to buy local.
Kathy Griswold
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
The cost of not doing it right the first time. Seems to be a trend in A2.
JBK
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
Kathy - Are you suggesting John Boy and the Council are incompetent? :) lol
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 8:22 p.m.
How much weight can you hang from one of these light poles, if need be?
Think!
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
They will not be replaced until sometime in September? The city has known about this since last year after two fell over? Wow. This level of negligence is disgraceful. Are there at least notices to make pedestrians and those who park their vehicles on Main Street aware of the fact a light pole could fall on them or their car at any moment?
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.
iconic code word for UGLY!
RUKiddingMe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
$ 6,370 per pole; is this just for the pole, or the pole and light, or pole and light and installation? Please answer this. Best case scenario; it's per pole, light, and installation. Why is it so much? Is this a typical cost for one street light pole? A2.com, can you call any neighboring city, or any city period, to find out what similar light poles cost? I'm wondering if they are half that price anywhere else because other cities have people trying to do things wisely and don't have a reputation for slathering the most money possible on any item regardless of cost or need -- twice.
greywolf
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
Doesn't the City of Ann Arbor have a Maintenance Department? Couldn't they retrofit the deteriorated light poles for a fraction of the $6,370/ pole replacement cost? For a City with so many Historical districts, couldn't we get by with "older" retrofitted LED light poles for another 10 years?
Goober
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
No need to be wise with spending tax payer money when the DDA is going to give us a grant! Yahoo!
pooh bear
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
another case of old being better than new. I hope they choose lights that are more appropriate to our 19th century Main Street--similar to those on Stadium, and the new bridges.
Goober
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 6:25 p.m.
It's iconic, you know.
michael Limmer
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Perhaps the inner tube could be made out of cast aluminum as are, I assume, the outside pole is.
Art Wolfe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
The light poles are attractive, but over $6000 per pole seems inordinately expensive. I agree that the public art fund is an appropriate source fore the City funding. Art Wolfe
travelslightly
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
More than likely someone finally noticed that the same poles and lights (without the death like glow of the LEDs) are used in downtown Columbus.
JRW
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:22 p.m.
Ditch the public art funds and use them for replacing the light poles. Don't add any "so called art" over on the Huron River rapids, or on the Stadium Bridge. Combine those two "art" project funds, and there is plenty for the lights. DDA should pay for the entire light replacement on Main Street. Really glad they replaced all those LEDs a few years ago.......great planning. Didn't anyone look at the light poles structurally before replacing all the bulbs? Bunch of amateurs running the city.
JRW
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
Why does it take so long to get going on this project of replacement, and why does it take so long to do it? Start in August, or in July, right after Art Fair, and finish by October.
KMHall
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
At least put up some scaffolding before the next storm?
Dirty Mouth
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
FYI. I hope the city's liability insurance is up to date.
Dirty Mouth
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
Clearly the this is a corrosion issue. The company that installed the cheap rust encrusted sleeves should be held accountable.
5c0++ H4d13y
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
I think I read it was an Ohio company.
JBK
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.
And this from Susan Pollay......... Pollay said most streetlight poles last much longer than 30 years, but based on information provided by the city's staff, it seems this particular type of pole had a structural problem holding water, which led to them rusting out........ SOooo, this begs the question(s) If these were structurally inept, why didn't the City go after the company that built them? Not blaming the current Administration as it pre-dated their time, BUT, this deserves an answer. Will the City "this time" do their due dilligence and VET the contractor so this does NOT happen again?
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:43 p.m.
I'm really worried about these parking structures they've built !
Karen
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
So I guess we will have streetlights that won't melt snow off them, and will be obscured in a snowstorm. That's the problem with LED lights.
AfterDark
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.
Snow accumulation on LED streetlights is not a problem. You're confusing it with the issue of snow obscuring stoplights in some kinds of fixtures.
Greg
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
Also should note Material science has know for some time what causes rust and ways to prevent it being a problem. Seems nobody did their homework on how the product was made as a point of fact.
Greg
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
This is what happens when your entire outlook is trying to be green so you can get a warm and fuzzy without bothering to do the research as to whether or not the product makes sense for the long term. Sounds great, but in the rush things are not being considered. Such as in this case how the rest of the light was made to last, or not.
Tano
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:47 p.m.
Greg, The poles were installed 20+ years before the "green" light bulbs. As is made rather clear in the article...
timjbd
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:48 p.m.
The new bulbs were not the problem. The posts were installed in the 80's. It's the posts that are the problem.
clara
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
So the light poles are older than 2005. "The City of Ann Arbor is installing LED streetlights in order to reduce lighting costs and greenhouse gas emissions. After successfully piloting an LED replacement for our downtown "globe" lights, the City received a $630,000 grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority to fund retrofits for over 1,000 downtown lights."
timjbd
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:28 p.m.
It was likely electrolysis. The post itself was a different metal than what attached it to the concrete base at the bottom. Add water, salt, and you've got battery action.
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:39 p.m.
A sacrificial anode !
mgoscottie
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
Metals can't oxidize or reduce other metals, the battery has a metal being oxidized and an ion being reduced. In fact, adding a metal like aluminum or magnesium at the bottom will lead to that metal being oxidized before the iron because the electrons are easier to remove from them than the iron.
Itchy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.
Lets call Al Gore. I'll bet he would agree that global warming caused this problem. Remember, it's the fault of Bush.
Shawn Letwin
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:52 p.m.
The best post! And now that you mention it, it makes a lot of sense. An unintended consequence due to the laws of nature/science. A good decision was intended years ago and well...stuff happens...we get older and age for various reasons and so do light poles. Just glad we have the resources and priorities to remove a safety hazard in a very busy area. No complaining, no negativity, no blaming, no drawing in other unrelated issues in (like funding for art, Obama, Bush, teapartyers, etc.), just a straight forward insightful comment. Thank you!
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:18 p.m.
Planned obsolescence Maybe the DDA didn't know it, but the manufacturer did. This seems to be the new American way. build and install crap infrastructure and keep the labor force continually busy. The problem is that eventually all of it will start failing at an ever increasing pace, beyond what the taxpayers will be able to shoulder, and leaving the next generation to asking how their parents could have been so stupid as to allow the politicians to do this to them.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.
bingo.
Tesla
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.
Right decision, right time. Good for the city and necessary. I think we need to look at repairing some of the "rusty" attitudes of some of the posters here. Good grief people, chill out.
kuriooo
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 2:18 a.m.
I'm also in support of this decision, and think people posting are being a bit unrealistic and rough on those making the decisions, particularly this one. If you think you can do better, get out and run for City Council instead of complaining, folks! And yes, I have lived here and paid taxes for 10 years.
Linda Peck
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:39 p.m.
Tesla, do you pay taxes here? Are you independently wealthy, if you answer is yes.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
Mismanagement = waste. Mismanaged original lightpost choice, mismanaged LED replacement (am I reading right that we spent a bunch of money on LED replacement already? No one thought maybe check how the poles were holding up, how the innards were doing?), and why do we think they'll do a good job with this new half-million expense (which also wastes the previous money spent on LED)? Every day I see at least 2 things that indicate they should redirect the art money. They're spending almost a million just to ADMINISTER the limping-along public art commission/program. We need some public outcry here.
Dithering Ninny
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
It was 2007. 6 years theses lights lasted. "After successfully piloting LED globe lights on a full block downtown, around 1,000 downtown streetlights were converted since 2007 throughout the downtown. $630,000 to fund the retrofit project was provided by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. Five years into the conversion, no LED globe lights have needed replacement. Using additional grant funds, the City has converted an additional nearly 1,000 cobrahead, acorn, and teardrop style streetlights across town. The LED program has received considerable recognition, winning ICLEI's first annual Climate Innovation Invitational Award and being featured as part of a video on Ann Arbor that aired at the 2007 International City Managers Association conference. The 2009 international Energy Globe prize for the U.S. was awarded to Ann Arbor for work to advance LED streetlighting." http://www.a2gov.org/government/publicservices/systems_planning/energy/LED/Pages/default.aspx
Goober
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 8:56 a.m.
Who believes everything they read? Please raise your hands so we can count you! Go figure!
Jack
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
Tano, spot on. Unfortunately though, I don't think Dithering Ninny is able to delete the comment. If only jj (and others) had been willing to read a couple of more comments, and learn the whole "poles installed in 2007" bit is false.
Tano
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 9:42 p.m.
@jj45678 You are being sarcastic, right? Dithering ninny misreads the article (how can one think "LED globe light" = "light pole"?), then rants away at length about a situation that does not exist. And gets 16 up votes! And you want to give her/him a job?
jj45678
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
Ann arbor news should hire you to write the articles! If I didnt read all the way down to your comment I woukd have thought these things were 20 years old.
Dithering Ninny
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
Thanks Mark
Mark Witthoff
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
I work in the industry and It was definitely a retrofit project. I actually spoke to one of the sales reps involved a few years back. I believe what the city wanted to do was keep the same look of the light fixture head but have the LED lights instead of the more costly high pressure sodium lights. To retrofit you typically replace the "head' of the fixture with the new LED components installed at the factory vs replacing them in the field. As far as replacing the poles those typically do not need to be replaced but should be inspected annually or at the time of the retrofit. At the time of the retrofit the LED lighting technology was something very new to the industry and I they were still working on standards and new technology. It still is very new but has made considerable strides in the past 6 years. If the city replaces the Pole and Light Head now and done properly they should not have to address the pole or lights again for some a considerable amount of time. It would make sense to replace everything now versus having to install new LED lights a few years from now when their life expectancy is coming to an end.
Dithering Ninny
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
I supposed its possible that the "globe of LED's" were replaced and constructed to match the poles, but I don't recall the original poles looking like that. You might be right Jack. Perhaps the new poles were constructed using the 'guts' from the old poles? (I am speculating). 6 years to rust is very fast-something doesn't seem right.
Jack
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
Dithering Ninny, I may have missed something while reading that, but where does it say any light poles were replaced? Everything you pasted is referring to a retrofitting project (addition of new technology to older systems), leading me to believe new LED lights were installed in to existing light poles. Meaning the light poles were not replaced in 2007.
Itchy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:05 p.m.
My guess, you will never get an official of our city to admit anything is wrong here. All they want to do is tax and spend. Manage and make wise decisions are foreign concepts.
clara
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.
Thank you! I didn't think they were as old as the article said. Do these lights have any guarantee? Six years seems like an awful short life!
AAdoglover
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
I wonder if they could manage new, better lights with less light pollution
YouAreNotAlwaysRight
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
THIS. Just stop allowing the light to go up! Literally just put a cover on the top and give us our sky back!
Brad
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.
" the new-generation streetlight poles don't have the same problem and have proven to be far more durable." They've "proven" more durable even though nobody seems to know how old the current ones are?
regularjoe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
The DDA should pay for the whole thing. You would think that downtown lighting would fall into their area of spending.
regularjoe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:21 p.m.
True. But it should come out of the DDA's budget not the city's
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
The DDA pays for nothing, YOU do !
Barzoom
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:09 p.m.
I'm sure the new street lights will be made and installed by out of state or non US companies.
Itchy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
Probably made in China too!
actionjackson
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:31 p.m.
The labor is most likely the same.
jcj
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:07 p.m.
DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay said she believes they were installed sometime in the early 1980s I would think we would know exactly when they were installed.
AfterDark
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
as Nerak, above, recalls - early 1990s, not 1980s I searched photos after reading because I also remembered it as the early 1990s. They were installed sometime between 1989 and 1992.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:04 p.m.
So evidently there are no welders and machinists on the city payroll capable of making a new base? Oh well, it's only money.
Great Lakes Lady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Whoever installed them in the first place erred......
Jim Osborn
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
This article did not mention why these fixtures cannot be repaired with new insides made from a stainless steel or other rust-resistant core.
Hugh Giariola
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
When the tires wear out, it's time to replace the car.
Linda Peck
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
I agree they need to be fixed and repaired or replaced. It is interesting that they lasted only 33 years. I have an outside light pole that has been standing, solid, for 60 years. I hope the next ones are made of stronger stuff.
Itchy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
Maybe the city needs to hire a lamp pole consultant before buying new light poles.
actionjackson
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.
Cheap materials & cheap labor = results like these. There are specs that are required on any job. Raintight is always a good start for outdoor fixtures.
Bubba43
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
So this is news? Fix them !
KMHall
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
Unfortunately, the "news" might be to avoid the area right after a storm? I hate the negative comments but the article did not imply that the remaining poles are not a danger. (double negative I know, or maybe triple)
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
Open up your wallet
Watcher
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:47 a.m.
If I see the word Iconic one more time, I am going to scream.
Goober
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.
Main Street is iconic and awesome. Go figure!
arborani
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:35 p.m.
My current bete noir is "spiraling out of control."
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:50 p.m.
More overused than Unprecedented ?
Chester Drawers
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
Watcher, I was just about to offer exactly the same comment when I read yours. I also felt the same way about the word 'awesome' a few years ago, but it has become so pervasive in our lexicon that I hardly notice it anymore.
DJBudSonic
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
The iconic Main Street Area will be replacing their rotting lights with bespoke new models, which should literally last 20 years.
fjord
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 12:57 p.m.
+1 Possibly the most overused word in the language right now. Oh, and if you want to avoid screaming, don't drink any Pepsi products for a while. That word is a cornerstone of their summer advertising campaign.
Nerak
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.
I'm sure there were light poles before these, but I remember this design being selected by the Main Street Merchants in the very early 1990's, not long after I started work with the city, and then being paid for by the DDA. Many city staff didn't like them then -- some for aesthetic reasons and some for maintenance reasons -- but we've had them ever since (with modified globes to make the light shine downward). Me, I'm not a fan; I think they look 1960s cartoonish. They're a pretty good height (pedestrian scale, and they don't compete with the street trees), but I think we could do better.
LXIX
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.
DDA Deja Vu "The City of Ann Arbor is installing LED streetlights in order to reduce lighting costs and greenhouse gas emissions. After successfully piloting an LED replacement for our downtown "globe" lights, the City received a $630,000 grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority to fund retrofits for over 1,000 downtownlights. " ... "With five times the lifetime and less than half the energy use, the lights have a 4.4 year payback. We are now planning to retrofit all of these downtown lights over the next two years. Funding for the downtown light conversions is being provided by a $630,000 grant from the DDA. The downtown LED project will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 267 tonnes CO2 and save the city over $100,000 annually. " "The DDA grant will be administered through the Ann Arbor Municipal Energy Fund, which ensures that a portion of the savings from the retrofits is paid back to the fund to pay for future retrofits." http://www.a2gov.org /government/publicservices /systems_planning/energy /Documents/LED_Summary.pdf
Itchy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.
A grant? This is our money that they are granting us?
Jim Osborn
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
A "grant from the DDA" as if the DDA is some outside agency that cannot be controlled by Ann Arbor. Oh, it is. Does the city ever do preventive maintenance, such as removing something to look for rust. Sort of like going to a dentist for a checkup? This article did not mention why these fixtures cannot be repaired with new insides made from a stainless steel or other rust-resistant core.
The Picker
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
All those savings are down the toilet now! How are our brilliant politicians going to cut our costs and save the planet now ?
et-tu-brute
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.
Those lights are some of the worst looking street lights I have ever seen. They stand out as an obtrusive sore spot along the city streets. For such a historic city, why do we have these futurama giant golf balls on a tee looking things? Please use this crisis to upgrade to something more suitable for this wonderful city!
NSider
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11:41 a.m.
These aren't historically correct anyway... these light stanchions were added in the late 1960s during the "Tree City" upgrades to Main Street and the changes to the parking along Main. Whether they've been changed again since I don't know but it looks to me that the stanchions themselves aren't rusting but rather the steel pipe inside acting as a conduit and strengthener.
widmer
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 8:13 p.m.
I definitely think we should keep the LED technology, but would love to see it packaged into a more elegant fixture.
actionjackson
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:31 a.m.
Who will do the work electrically on these lighting fixtures. Seems to me I have seen Ohio contractors doing city work on previous jobs. Oh how I hate Ohio State.
Mark Witthoff
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
I work in the electrical industry I really hope they decide to hire local contractors. NECA/NJATC holds their convention/training in Ann Arbor every year for one week in July and brings plenty of business to the downtown area it would be nice to see some work given back to electrical contractors.
regularjoe
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
I've seen Severence Electric do most of the big city lighting jobs. They are out of Kalamazoo.
smokeblwr
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
Do you think we can at least recoup some of the money lost on the initial LED bulbs by selling them on eBay?
GoNavy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 10:59 a.m.
Well, I guess if it is urgent, and there is a "desperate need," we should probably just get it done. Let's take the money from the public art fund. After all, what makes better public art than durable LED light poles that will last for decades while remaining aesthetically pleasing and rust-resistant?
kuriooo
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
I agree - this is a great use for the art fund.
JRW
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
Totally agree with GoNavy. Ditch the art fund and all the staff associated with it. Use the $$ for replacing lights. And for fixing the potholes!
timjbd
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.
Nice light posts are the best kind of public art. The ones in the older city centers of Europe, for instance.