Detroit officials touted community feedback as an important factor in the design and location of a new $400,000 Hollywood-style sign installed Tuesday along Interstate 94, just in time for the 2024 NFL draft.
Now that it’s up, it’s clear Detroiters have plenty more to say.
“I could’ve made that DETROIT sign in my Woodshop class,” one local posted to X.
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“That clipart Detroit sign is embarrassing,” wrote another.
The light green capital letters situated between Central Street and Cecil Avenue are a collaboration between the city, DTE Energy, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the federal government and Fairmount Sign Company.
While it’s been in the works for a while, the city expedited the project to welcome an expected flood of visitors for the NFL Draft later this month. A rendering floated online depicted towering letters reminiscent of the 45-foot tall Hollywood sign that dwarfed passing semi-trucks on the interstate. An official rendering from the city was clearly smaller, with a lush grass hillside, the base of the lettering encompassed in beautiful blooming flowers.
Instead, the 8-foot D-E-T-R-O-I-T surrounded by dead grass and orange construction fencing that greeted motorists on Tuesday left many underwhelmed.
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“When you order your ‘Hollywood style’ sign from Wish,” one person commented on a WDIV Facebook post.
“They got the letters off someone’s refrigerator,” another wrote.
“That’s so tacky!” Jay Daniels posted to WXYZ’s Facebook page.
“They definitely could’ve picked a better font,” Lindsey Green added.
Detroit rapper Gmac Cash, who previously rapped positively about Gretchen Whitmer, weighed in with his new hit “Detroit Sign,” posted to YouTube for his 84,000 subscribers on Wednesday.
“It looks like they got these f**king letters from Toys R’ Us, brah,” he rapped to an image of the rendering circulated online, alongside the reality in Detroit. “One thing I’m a do, I’m a stick to facts. This ain’t the sign that we ordered, you can take it back.
“Ah, here we go, thinking we about to get some sh*t. Nah, they done ordered us a sign off f**king Wish.”
“All I want to know: how much we pay for this?” he said. “Real talk, man, sh*t, I could have made this sh*t.”
The reaction to the city’s X post announcing the new, $400,000 sign was equally as brutal.
Our D-E-T-R-O-I-T sign is up!🤩
Detroit’s new Gateway sign will welcome residents and visitors to the city. The eight-foot-tall letters, mounted on two-foot-tall concrete blocks, is alongside Eastbound I-94 between Central Street and Cecil Ave. pic.twitter.com/fQgTh5HbGX
— City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) April 9, 2024
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“Love the city of Detroit, but this sign is a failure,” The Deen Team posted. “Really disappointed honestly.”
“So 400K on this so some visitors will see it instead of spending that on improving the quality of life” for Detroiters, Dora Mullin added.
“Damn @shoptemu must be stoked one of their signs on display like this,” Aaron Feldpausch wrote.
“Nobody thought this was a good idea,” Grant Vich added.
“Well, you spelled it correctly. That is a plus,” another X post read. “Bets on how long it will last unmolested unless guarded 24/7 by police?”
While local news reports noted not all of the feedback was negative, a review of online comments makes it obvious the vast majority is. Even LED lighting DTE is expected to install next week seems unlikely to sway the masses.
“You’ve just been Detroit’ed,” Corynne wrote.
“This is the most random place to put it. Looks trashy,” Katie wrote. “Makes me wanna leave this city sooner.”
“How embarrassing! It looks like Microsoft WordArt,” Sweet Home Michigan posted.
“Thanks for embarrassing us again City of Detroit,” user Mattee892 added.