DETROIT (WWJ) — When Detroit’s new Gateway sign was installed along I-94 last week, social media blew up with mixed reactions — with the negative takes much louder than the positive.
On Monday night the sign took another step closer to being completed as it was lit up for the first time.
Officials with the city of Detroit said Tuesday landscaping will be completed sometime this week and the area will be fenced off “to help prevent sign fans from being injured.”
Officials did not elaborate on the fencing, including where the fencing will be or how tall it will be.
Plans for the "Hollywood-style" sign were revealed back in February as the city prepares to host thousands of football fans for the NFL Draft next week.
The plan is for the sign to serve as a friendly greeting for NFL fans from all across the country as they head into the city from Detroit Metro Airport along EB I-94 for the NFL Draft between April 25-27, which is expected to draw as many as 300,000 people to Downtown Detroit.
Smaller aluminum “Welcome to Detroit” signs will also be installed in the next week along the city’s borders at:
• I-75 and 8 Mile
• I-96 and Telegraph
• I-94 at Moross Road
• Southfield Road at 8 Mile
• Southfield Road and Ford Road
The installation of the sign last week generated a lot of social media buzz, as well as a “diss track” of sorts by viral Detroit rapper Gmac Cash.