As the city names new leadership, Mayor Dave Bing is credited with taking over a city in shambles and restoring morality to the mayor’s office. His accomplishments include the following.
PUBLIC SAFETY
New state-of-the-art, $60 million Public Safety Headquarters opens this summer
Fourteen police mini-stations open in neighborhoods and some recreation centers
Corporations give $8 million for 23 new EMS units and 100 police cruisers.
Police Department launches Detroit One initiative to reduce violent gun-related crime by 25 percent in 2013.
An additional 100 officers placed on street patrol or in investigations.
Neighborhood-based police precincts return to the city.
PUBLIC LIGHTING
Crews to replace 5,000 streetlights each month in various sections of the city.
City repaired or replaced 3,000 streetlights and restored 56 electrical circuits (4,900 lights).
State Legislature and Detroit City Council approve mayor’s proposal to create a Detroit Public Lighting Authority to finance $160 million in lighting system upgrades.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Mayor gets $31 million in federal funds for a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and a 3.3-mile M1 Rail system along Woodward Avenue.
DDOT improves customer service with “Text My Bus” — cell phone text messages providing bus arrival times — and the “415 Plan” which guarantees the arrival of a bus every 15 minutes on the city’s four busiest routes.
NEIGHBORHOOD BLIGHT
To date, 7,075 vacant structures demolished as part of mayor’s commitment to eliminate 10,000 dangerous, abandoned properties over four years.
Seventy illegally-operating businesses are shut down and $100,731 collected for permits and licenses.
The mayor’s team releases “Detroit Future City,” a comprehensive plan for vibrant neighborhoods, job growth and best us of city land.
The Detroit Works Project uses six demonstration areas to improve delivery of city services.
Federal funds are secured to demolish a major city eyesore and haven for crime – the former Brewster Projects.
City uses $110 million from H.U.D.’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program to demolish blighted structures and redevelop neighborhoods.
RECREATION
Mayor’s Active and Safe Campaign secures $14 million from businesses and foundations for recreation center programming and parks.
All of the city’s 17 recreation centers and 300 parks remain open and available to residents.
Mayor gets $10,000 grant for youth softball and baseball instruction at an east side recreation center.
The Ford Motor Company fund gives $1 million for programs at a Southwest Detroit recreation center.
The Belle Isle Aquarium reopens after being closed for more than six years.
Mayor receives a grant to improve a fishing pier and construct a new walking bridge on Belle Isle.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Arts gives $39,000 to Detroit non-profit organizations for arts and cultural activities.
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