The Lions are Coming to the Streets of Downtown Birmingham

Birmingham residents are already familiar with the sight of tigers downtown, and soon they'll be joined by a pride of lions.

As part of the LionTown project from the Children Charities Coalition, Birmingham City Commissioners gave the go-ahead to place up to 40 lion sculptures throughout downtown Birmingham this summer and fall.

All proceeds will go toward the various charities supported by the coalition, including the Child Abuse and Neglect Council and Oakland County and Orchards Children's Services.

The lion sculptures — an ode to the Detroit Lions — will be installed on July 15 and be on display through Oct. 15. The sculptures would be auctioned off on Oct. 16 at Ford Field.

The project is similar to 2007's TigerTown, in which dozens of colorful tiger sculptures were sold to residents, businesses and community organizations throughout Metro Detroit.

Several of those tiger sculptures can still be found around town, including the Birmingham Rotary's tiger by the , as well as .

According to project representatives, they're planning on commissioning up to 80 lion sculptures throughout Metro Detroit, around half of which they hope to place in Birmingham.

Each fiberglass sculpture is approximately five feet, eight inches tall. Already, the group has put out a call for artists, though the Children's Charities Coalition is hoping groups will begin purchasing the sculptures soon so they can be tailored to the buyer's particular taste.

Lion sponsorships begin at $3,500 and go up to $75,000 for a title sponsorship.