City leaders in Highland Park unveiled plans for public lighting, housing developments and significant water infrastructure improvements to revitalize the community on Tuesday.

They say it's about showing the community the work going on behind the scenes and their commitment to continue the progress. 

I just want you to know that Highland Park is on the move and we are in motion and we are going to build this city back to the strength that everyone is proud, everyone is involved," Mayor Glenda McDonald said.

The city has gone without significant lighting for years after not being able to pay a multimillion-dollar DTE bill.

The math is really hard when you don't have that tax base, McDonald said. "Our goal is to increase our tax base. Our goal is to continue to move toward getting the city up and running again to a status where its citizens are proud to be here.

DTE confirmed they are actively working with Highland Park on potential solutions to add lighting to the city.

For now, they are adding 50 grant-funded solar lights in partnership with Solartonic.

The city is also adding three master meters across the city that they hope will help accurately measure water use and save community members money.

It is probably the most significant water infrastructure project that has happened in Highland Park in over a decade," said Damon L. Garrett, director of the Highland Park Water Department.

He says that project will be done by the end of spring.

At this point, it's all about continuing the progress, continuing the movement, continuing the motion, McDonald said.

More investment and development is good news for Keyaira Berry, owner Salon KnH. Her shop sits along Woodward Avenue.

"Whatever they got coming for us, well appreciate it. I know the community will, Berry said.

Stylist Robert Green added that he hopes the change will be sustainable and into the future for longtime residents.

"The blocks that are blighted with a lot of empty space, theres a lot of room for new housing, Green said.

Longtime resident Joseph Blevins says he's excited about the possibility of more resources coming to the city for residents.

"We need all of that to help the city prosper. We cant prosper the way we're going, Blevins said.

Specifically, he's looking for more resources for those interested in starting businesses or investing in property.

"A library where you can go, thats a good resource center, Blevins said.

McDonald says the city has applied for a grant to study what it would take to remodel the library and are hopeful they will receive it.

Getting more electric vehicle charging stations like ones across Detroit and its surrounding areas has been a big push for local officials trying to make it easier to own an electric car, but an executive order signed by President Donald Trump Monday has many people wondering about how that and the future of it will look.

Trump took aim at federal and state support for electric vehicles on his first day in office. The executive order seeks to end the federal support in recent years for electric vehicles. That includes a goal that EVs make up half of new cars sold.

The next move would likely be getting rid of the $7,500 tax credit for buyers of EVs. Also in question is federal support for charging stations and low interest loans for automakers building new plants for EVs and the batteries they need.

Detroiter Anthony Kemp feels like the city needs all the investment it can get.

"I have to wake up at like 4 a.m.... to get to a charger," Kemp said.

Without an electric car charger at home, Kemp says he can spend hours waiting and charging up.

"If they're going to go ahead and put these cars on the road, they need some more chargers because right now in the city of Detroit, only like 75% of the chargers actually work, so you got a line waiting to charge your car up," Kemp said.

The difficulty trying to find a charger is why city and state leaders have been making efforts to add more.

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The executive order is targeting two programs that could threaten funding for those plans, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program.

The programs set aside billions to build out more chargers nationwide. Both the Michigan Department of Transportation and the city of Detroit have plans in the works. So far, it's not clear on if or when they'll see promised money.

"The city and its partners are committed to building out a network of EV charging stations. We currently have a signed grant agreement from the Round 1B $23 million CFI grant and are working towards getting one for the $15 million Round 2 grant that will install a network of EV charging stations through Detroit and its neighboring suburban communities. We are moving forward with our plan and hope to work with the Trump administration as it supports American auto manufacturers," said Trisha Stein, chief strategy officer with the city of Detroit.

MDOT says it's too early to tell how this will effect their plans because they haven't received specific guidance from federal agencies.

"The hope is that the funds already obligated will not be clawed back," a spokesperson with MDOT said.

Michigan was set to receive just over $110 million.

"The president has made it very clear that he was going to cut back on EVs no matter what. What we're still waiting to see is precisely what he's going to do," said auto industry expert John McElroy with Autoline.

Extended interview: Hear more from John McElroy of Autoline Detroit Extended interview: Hear more from John McElroy of Autoline Detroit

The order ends the goal made by former President Joe Biden of 50% of new car sales being electric by 2030 dubbed the "EV Mandate". However, it was never requirement.

"I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing," EV owner Derek Hall said. "I believe in good, strong capitalism and sometimes, you might not need the government to push you in the right direction."

Hall says he just wants what's best for the environment.

"I'd like to hope that whatever President Trump does will consider what is it going to do for the cleanliness of our air, for the poison in our soil, for the contaminants in our drinking water," Hall said.

John Maynard who works at one of the Big Three auto companies says Trump's stance on EVs is a positive for his job security. He judged based on how his employer reacted to the news.

"Being an auto worker, I obviously want to see a need for my position so that I might stay working," Maynard said. When theres a need for cars, then theres a need for workers to build those cars and a need for companies to provide those products and they make money, we make money, everybodys happy.

Auto industry expert John McElroy says it's too soon to tell what the future will look like for EVs as all stakeholders wait on what specific actions the president will take. He says talks of tariffs on car imports isn't helping and would increase car prices.

"

They're down in their bunkers hunkered down and waiting to see what actually happens. They're cutting all kinds of spending. Some programs have been delayed. Once there's some certainty, I think things will start to turn around but right now, nobody knows what's going to happen," McElroy said.

After a story we did earlier this week about local restaurants adding service fees to customer's bills, our Facebook page was flooded with hundreds of comments.

The restaurant says it's in preparation for the tipped wage hike in February, and more restaurants could follow suit.

Watch below: Restaurants begin implementing service charges preparing for tipped wage hike

Restaurants begin implementing service charges preparing for tipped wage hike

After the comments, I went out to hear more from people about the potential change. We wanted to know how they are feeling about it, so we went to Main Donut Shop in Royal Oak.

We asked how the added charge on a restaurant bill would sit with people.

I worked in service my whole life so I understand where theyre coming from," George Ivey said.

I dont know about a service fee. I dont know why we cant just tip them," Kerrie Utley added.

I dont think the added cost onto the people is fair, I dont," Dan Holmes, a Ferndale resident who is also a former fine-dining manager, said.

That is a difficult question, but I think if the communication about that extra charge is part of the process, then I probably wont have a problem with that," Russell Boyle said. He's a former server. "But if it's something theyre just going to slap on and theyre not and theyre not going to mention it, which I know some people do, its going to be a little bit more challenging, maybe not for me but for a lot of other people who get really upset about hidden fees."

I think it would have to be some pretty good service for me to essentially double tip," Gary Cavender said.

The logic behind it at one restaurant in Farmington is to help them afford the increase in worker pay. Adding a service charge instead of letting staff go or increasing menu prices.

So theyre just flipping it back. Are you supposed to tip on top of that too," Holmes said.

If thats what we gotta do to keep our wait staff fully staffed, thats what we gotta do," Utley added.

But for some, if it comes down to paying a service fee, adding a tip isn't off the table.

I wouldnt go someplace and spend my money if it wasnt good anyway. If somebodys doing a really good job, I would pay both," Cavender said.

If it was on the bill or it wasnt on the bill I would still continue to tip my servers will I still tip them 20% because theyre making more an hour I dont know," Boyle said.

While they don't have to worry about that at their beloved donut shop, the minimum wage for tipped workers is expected to increase starting Feb. 21.

Where Your Voice Matters

Many community members gathered in Southfield today for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk.

The message has been the same for the past 40 years promoting peace, and those who showed up in the bitter cold told me that's their commitment.

"We walk no matter what. Last year was very cold, similar to today," said Dorothy Dean with the Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force.

Hundreds showed up on Monday for the yearly tradition.

"We have marched from this very church for the last 40 years in celebration of Dr. King," said Dean.

Those who showed up were greeted with hot coffee for the annual walk. Many of them are members of historically Black fraternities and sororities like Dr. King.

"We make it a priority because we know that our community has to be involved with freedom ... has to be involved with peace," said Sheila Harton-Montgomery, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Pi Tau Omega Chapter.

Steven Foster with Sigma said, "This is our day to commemorate a day of service, a day of action, a day of participation to continue to fight for those who are less fortunate, for those who can't fight for themselves, and to be an advocate and a voice for the people in our community."

The theme this year: "Social Justice Through Equality, Inclusion and Diversity."

"We think that that is so relevant today, because there's so much going on today, our rights are being rolled back. Now more than ever we need to make sure we're trying to fulfill the dream of Dr. King."

They walked over a mile from Hope United Methodist Church to the civic center, carrying flags from every country.

"We're going to be holding the spirit of peace as we walk, commemorating Martin Luther King Day, his dream. His dream was one global family. One global family in unity, peace and freedom," said Fumi Johns Stewart, Executive Director of May Peace Prevail On Earth International.

With the inauguration of a new administration happening at the same time, some attendees say it's been a motivator.

"I think that is the most important reason that I'm here today, because there's not a lot that I can do about what's going on in the rest of the world or the rest of the country for that matter, but what I can do is be here to today and march and honor Dr. King," said Annalise, a participant.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, "Even as we see people ascending to power that may not reflect the values of King, that we can still reflect his values and be the light in our communities and that's what gatherings like today are all about"

Where Your Voice Matters