Belle Isle Bridge Lighting Powered by Platinum Equity from Platinum Equity on Vimeo.
Installation of All New LED Lights Improves Visibility and Safety on Belle Isle
Detroit – (May 21, 2015) – The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix today
announced that thanks to a $50,000 donation from Tom Gores and Platinum Equity,
all of the broken and aging lights and fixtures lining the MacArthur Bridge
have been replaced with high-efficiency LED technology, improving visibility
and safety for visitors to the island. The lights surrounding the lagoon near
Scott Fountain are all being replaced as well, as the result of the partnership
between the Grand Prix and Platinum Equity.
The new lighting that will
illuminate the bridge each night consists of 76 LED corn lamps (45-watts each).
New globes were also installed for each lighting fixture including 76 large
acorn-style globes and 154 12-inch white globes. It took 384 man hours to
replace all the old lighting on the bridge with the new components as all the
new globes had to be modified so they could attach properly to the existing
structures.
The new lights lining both
sides of the bridge will be lit tonight during a special ceremony beginning at
approximately 9:30 pm ET. A Chevrolet
Camaro SS 2015 Pace Car will drive over the bridge as the newly-installed LED lights
are illuminated.
“We want to thank Tom Gores and Platinum Equity for helping to light up
Belle Isle and ensure that the future is bright on the island,” said Roger
Penske. “We have such a beautiful island park located right here in our city
and we look forward to showcasing it to the rest of the world around the Grand
Prix. We need support from terrific
companies like Platinum Equity to help with needed improvements at Belle Isle.
Thanks to their efforts, visitors to Belle Isle will be greeted by the stunning
LED lights on the MacArthur Bridge and the lagoon around Scott Fountain has
never looked better. This
initiative is one more example of the tangible benefits that have been made
with the Grand Prix being hosted at Belle Isle Park.”
Mr. Gores applauded the hard work of Mr. Penske and his team, Grand Prix
organizers, volunteers and countless others who have contributed to the
transformation of Belle Isle.
"It's important that
we all work together to help improve safety and the quality of life for people
who live and work in Detroit," said Mr. Gores, who is Chairman and
CEO of Platinum Equity and principal owner of the Detroit Pistons.
"Signature
events like the Grand Prix help stimulate the local economy and showcase to the
world what a great place we have here. Roger and his team have done an amazing
job and we are proud to play a role.”
Two years ago Mr. Gores partnered with Mr. Penske in a program to acquire
new emergency vehicles and police cars for the city. Mr. Gores said he will continue
working with Mr. Penske on programs that contribute to the revitalization of
Detroit.
The new lighting on the
bridge to Belle Isle also represents a more efficient and enduring form of
illumination. The lights have a 70,000
hour life expectancy and the savings in energy is expected to be about a third
of the cost of previous lighting system.
About the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a
subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Scheduled for May 29-31, 2015,
the event will include the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans
featuring cars of the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic
presented by the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers with the sports cars of the TUDOR
United SportsCar Championship, the high-performance vehicles of the Pirelli
World Challenge Series in the Cadillac V-Series Challenge presented by the
Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers and the high-flying trucks of the SPEED Energy
Formula Off-Road presented by Traxxas. Partners for the 2015 Grand Prix include
General Motors, Quicken Loans, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Verizon. For more
information, visit www.DetroitGP.com and follow our
social media pages at www.facebook.com/detroitgp, www.twitter.com/detroitgp and www.instagram.com/detroitgp.
Media Contacts:
Merrill Cain, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle
Grand Prix
(704) 677-9200, mcain@detroitgp.com
Dan
Whelan, Platinum Equity
(310) 282-9202,
dwhelan@platinumequity.com
