If you are going to tune up you could investigate selective use of lower gauge strings. Many years ago I could phone up Newtone Strings and order custom sets with the gauges I asked for. I don't know if they still do that.

This link

http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com/stringxxiii.html

has a string tension calculator, scroll down a bit.

You can set the string length and gauge and it will tell you the tension on the string. If you can determine an ideal open tuning set here you might get Newtone Strings to supply it.