Downtown Auburn Hills installs smart, energy-efficient lamppost system with public address and music capabilities

Media contact: Don Grice, City of Auburn Hills, 248-364-6911, dgrice@auburnhills.org

The City of Auburn Hills is pleased to announce the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system on a select number of lampposts between Squirrel and South Squirrel Roads in Downtown Auburn Hills.

For the design and installation, Auburn Hills hired Illuminating Concepts, an award-winning lighting and effects company headquartered in Farmington Hills. Their team has worked with the City of Farmington on a similar system and has become a leader in city lighting design.

The new lampposts are equipped with energy-efficient L.E.D. bulbs and are set on a schedule that automatically adjusts their brightness throughout a 24-hour period. The “smart poles” can be controlled wirelessly via laptop, iPad or telephone and include capabilities to play music and broadcast prerecorded announcements during Downtown events or in the case of an emergency, such as an Amber Alert situation.

Throughout the day and into the evening, music will play over the speakers, following approximately the same schedule as the lights.

“After 9 p.m. or so when businesses start to close down, the lights will be set on a timer to automatically dim, saving energy costs for the city," said Don Grice, Deputy DPW Director. “Music will still play for pedestrians still enjoying the Downtown.”

The poles are also equipped with multi-colored lights that can be used for directing pedestrian traffic during events or for aesthetic purposes.

About Illuminating Concepts
Illuminating Concepts is a full service lighting and multi-media design firm that specializes in the creation of memorable environments worldwide. Since 1981, their core business has existed in the design and implementation of award winning lighting systems for architectural, retail and environmental applications. Their range of experience and project based knowledge has facilitated the evolution of their services to include the development of entertainment strategies that incorporate and synchronize multiple sensory elements (audio systems, water and interactive features, digital media / projection, special effects and all encompassing control systems).

About Auburn Hills
Celebrating 30 years as a city in 2013, Auburn Hills is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan’s global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.

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