Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan stood before the community at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church on the city’s west side to deliver his 2024 State of the City address Wednesday evening. It’s his 11th address since he first took the podium back in February 2014. With the NFL Draft just around the corner, Mayor Duggan spotlighted Detroit’s ongoing efforts to boost both the economy and the neighborhoods.
Speaking from the heart of a neighborhood in the midst of resurgence, Mayor Duggan celebrated what he dubbed “a neighborhood rebirth.” He countered the critics who claim Detroit’s revitalization efforts are downtown-centric by highlighting the positive changes sweeping across the entire city—from drastically improved crime rates to transforming once-neglected areas into vibrant spaces. “Instead of blight, they can visit beauty,” he proudly stated. “On abandoned riverfront land, we built the world-class Riverside Park. DTE revitalized an eyesore on Grand River into the lively Beacon Park. Our industrial riverfront is now acclaimed as the finest riverwalk in America.”
Focusing on Detroit’s neighborhoods in this address marks a crucial turning point. Strategic, yet crucial. You see, while downtown developments like the upcoming draft and GM’s move from the Ren Cen are flashy and significant, they often overshadow the true lifeblood of our city—the neighborhoods. This is where the essence of Detroit really lives, in the hearts and daily lives of its residents.
By shining a spotlight on these areas, Mayor Duggan is recognizing something vital: the folks living in these neighborhoods are the real drivers of our city’s future. They’re the ones who vote our leaders into office and they’re the ones who should hold these leaders accountable. We’re talking about making sure that the fruits of Detroit’s growth are enjoyed not just downtown, but in every corner of our city where people are making their lives, raising families, and building communities.
Duggan’s message was clear and filled with hope: “Every neighborhood has a future.” He reminisced about the early days of his tenure: “For me, this journey started in the neighborhood. When I announced in 2013… people started inviting me into their homes. I found the people who invited me were the ones who were going to stick and stay,” he shared, expressing gratitude to Rev. Richard White and the 105-year-old church that hosted the event.
Reflecting on the past, Duggan didn’t shy away from acknowledging the severe challenges that residents faced. “They would say, our neighborhood has been forgotten… illegal dumping, open abandoned houses, cops and ambulances don’t show up and the streetlights don’t work,” he recounted. “It hurt because the state and the country turned their backs on us… but they haven’t forgotten about us anymore. We have a chance to reintroduce Detroit to America. The last time we were in the national spotlight, it was about bankruptcy.”
This isn’t just a line item on an agenda; it’s a strategy for true advancement. It’s about bringing equity into the conversation and ensuring that as Detroit transforms, no one is left behind. It’s about investing in safer streets, better schools, and robust community services that speak directly to improving the quality of life for all Detroiters.
So, while the big headlines might talk about the big buildings and big events downtown, let’s keep the focus where it really matters—on the people in our neighborhoods. That’s where Detroit’s heart beats the strongest, and that’s where our attention needs to be. This approach is not only necessary but it’s a long-overdue acknowledgment that the strength of Detroit lies in its communities.
Looking ahead, the Dexter Avenue corridor is poised for a boost with $21.5 million in Strategic Neighborhood Fund investments, including a new $10 million streetscape from Webb to Davison, the addition of In Harmony Cafe, new recreation centers, park enhancements, and murals.
Mayor Duggan’s hour-long address, reflecting on a city that once grappled with bankruptcy, underscored how Detroit has transformed as it braces for an influx of 300,000 visitors at the NFL Draft and more than 50 million television viewers next week. His message was clear: Detroit’s revival is rooted deeply in its neighborhoods.
“Nothing makes any neighborhood feel more forgotten than the blight of abandon houses,” shared Duggan. He shared that the city has dramatically turned its narrative around since the dark days of its historic bankruptcy. He highlighted the city’s return to investment-grade status for the first time since 2009, a testament to a revitalized economic standing that Detroit hasn’t seen in over a decade. Duggan was proud to announce, “Detroit’s ruin porn tours are canceled,” marking a definitive end to the days when outsiders would flock to the city merely to witness its decline.
Contrarily, Scott Holiday, Political Director at Detroit Action, a grassroots, intergenerational organization fighting for racial, housing and economic justice for working-class Black and Brown Metro Detroiters, shared, “Moreover, while narratives about transforming blighted areas into vibrant spaces are enticing, it’s crucial to ensure that this revitalization extends meaningful support to low-income Black and brown communities, or else we’ll continue the rapid cycle of gentrification and displacement.”
Over the last decade, the city has seen substantial economic improvements, including a significant drop in the unemployment rate to 7% last year, supported by the arrival of new companies and nearly 5,000 job openings waiting to be filled. But perhaps more impactful is his announcement of $1 billion in affordable housing investments since 2019, a direct response to the housing crisis affecting so many Detroiters.
Highlighting a new University of Michigan report, Duggan shared some groundbreaking news: the added home value for Black residents has surged by 80% between 2014 and 2022, totaling an increase of $3.4 billion. This isn’t just a number; it’s a beacon of progress, showcasing the growing economic empowerment within Detroit’s Black community. As property values increase and more Black families become homeowners, there’s a tangible sense of progress and a strengthening of community ties. Homeownership is more than just acquiring property; it’s about securing a piece of the American Dream and building generational wealth. This progress is not just a marker of personal success but a testament to the resilience and growing economic power of the Black community in Detroit.
The recent study also shows an uplifting narrative of economic empowerment overall in Detroit. It reveals that the net value of owner-occupied homes in the city has soared, nearly doubling from $4.2 billion in 2014 to an impressive $8.1 billion in 2022.
However, this does not come without critics, “Although Mayor Duggan boasts about increasing home values, genuine progress is gauged by the overall well-being of all residents, not just the property values and profits of those who are already wealthy—especially considering Detroit’s shift from a city of homeowners to a city of renters,” shared Holiday. “Lingering social issues such as DTE utility hikes, flooding, population decline, and housing instability underscore the continued necessity for inclusive growth initiatives.”
Developments
Mayor Mike Duggan highlighted several significant redevelopment projects that are transforming abandoned sites across Detroit into centers of industry and innovation. For instance, the east side of Detroit now boasts the Jeep plant, which opened in 2021, while the GM Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant has been revamped as Factory Zero, now employing 4,000 workers in the burgeoning electric vehicle sector.
Duggan also announced the forthcoming demolition of the derelict Packard Plant, a relic that ceased car production in 1956, with plans to clear the site by year’s end. The city aims to replace it with another automotive manufacturing facility, continuing Detroit’s legacy as a hub for automotive innovation.
Amazon is set to invigorate the former State Fairgrounds—abandoned since 2011—with 1,200 new jobs. This site is also undergoing a transformation into a $19 million transit center. Meanwhile, Midtown will soon see the new Henry Ford Cancer Institute on West Grand Boulevard and, later this year, a $3 billion expansion of the hospital, underscoring Detroit’s commitment to both economic and healthcare advancements.
Further, he spotlighted the transformation of Detroit’s downtown skyline with the introduction of new high-rise developments. He particularly noted the Hudson’s property, vacant for over four decades, which is being transformed into what will be Michigan’s second tallest building. General Motors plans to relocate its headquarters there once it’s completed next year. Additionally, the area will soon welcome more development, including Gary Torgow’s Huntington Bank Headquarters and Water Square, which are set to be joined by a new convention hotel in the near future.
Mayor Duggan also highlighted several advancements in higher education during his address. Notable projects include the University of Michigan’s $200 million Center for Innovation under construction on Grand River, a $100 million upgrade at the University of Detroit Mercy enhancing nursing and engineering facilities, and the addition of a new performing arts center at Wayne State University. Furthermore, the Pensole Lewis College recently inaugurated its design campus along the Riverfront, establishing Michigan’s only historically Black college.
However, some criticism remains. An activist group has charged Mayor Duggan with failing to sufficiently address the urgent housing and economic needs of low-income residents, accusing him of favoring affluent developers. “Channeling billions of dollars in abatements and corporate incentives does not ensure prosperity for all residents,” commented Scott Holiday, Political Director at Detroit Action, an organization committed to advocating for racial, housing, and economic justice for working-class Black and Brown Metro Detroiters.
Safety and Transportation
He recalled 2013, a troubling time when Detroit had the nation’s highest homicide rate and was infamously dubbed “carjack city” due to the staggering 782 carjackings recorded that year. Even then-police chief James Craig had a close call with a carjacking incident in an unmarked car.
Since those challenging days, Mayor Duggan emphasized that the city has taken decisive actions to enhance safety. Detroit has raised police officer salaries to be competitive with other cities and added 230 officers to the force in 2023 alone. These efforts have borne fruit: homicides have plummeted from 386 in 2012 to 252 in 2023, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Carjackings have also dramatically decreased, with just 27 incidents occurring so far this year. “That’s two per week compared to 15 per week in 2013,” Duggan highlighted.
The improvements extend to emergency medical services as well. Back in 2013, Detroit was down to just eight operating ambulances, and it was not uncommon for 911 response times to exceed an hour. This year, the city boasts 42 ambulances and 33 medically-staffed fire trucks, achieving an average response time of just 7 minutes, which surpasses the national average. Duggan unveiled his ShotStoppers initiative, tapping six activist groups to kickstart intensive community outreach this fall.
Transportation Enhancements
Duggan also announced significant investments in Detroit’s transportation infrastructure, including an additional $189 million allocated to support 627 bus drivers, up from 510. “For the thousands of residents waiting in the cold, you’ll soon wait inside the comfortable Jason Hargrove Transit Center, honoring a driver who died during COVID,” Duggan said. “We’re building a first-class bus system.”
Despite these improvements, calls for further enhancement of city transit persist. Ned Staebler, CEO of TechTown, emphasized that neither Detroit nor Michigan will truly rebound without functional transit, likening it to “the roof on a house. Transit is Detroit’s leaky roof and no one would buy a house with a leaky roof,” he stated, pointing out the need for more substantial investments in urban areas.
Addressing Safety and Nuisance
Safety within the transportation department remains a concern, with a report indicating that city bus drivers averaged more than one collision per day in 2023. Moreover, Duggan addressed the issue of junk vehicles cluttering neighborhoods. A new initiative involves 20 municipal parking officers now ticketing inoperable or unlicensed cars on the street, giving owners 48 hours to act. On private property, Detroit police have deployed a new 12-person enforcement squad, giving owners two weeks to remove ticketed vehicles. Residents can report these vehicles via the Improve Detroit App. “I’m giving everyone a head start because enforcement is coming,” Duggan stated. So far in 2024, they’ve ticketed over 5,200 vehicles, with 85% removed by the owners.
Advocacy and Acknowledgment
Moving forward, Duggan continues to advocate in Lansing for a Land Value Tax that would reduce property taxes for homeowners by 17% and increase them on parking lots and scrapyards, aiming to address non-compliance in these areas. Moreover, as property values and rents rise, Duggan is keen to prevent Detroit from descending into the housing crises seen in other cities, displaying photos of tents and homelessness as a stark warning.
The mayor also highlighted the city’s commitment to celebrating Detroit’s Black history and honoring the contributions of Black communities in Detroit. He discussed the establishment of an Underground Railroad memorial at a site now dubbed Freedom Point, paying homage to Detroit’s pivotal role in the journey to liberation. Additionally, the mayor shed light on the restoration of the historic Brewster Rec Center, a cultural landmark where icons like Diana Ross once visited and where legendary boxer Joe Louis trained. The restoration will preserve the original training ring used by Louis, ensuring that this piece of Black heritage remains a source of inspiration and education for future generations.
Photo: Helen Moore
Ending on a note of recognition and surprise, Duggan announced the renaming of the Dexter Elmhurst Recreation Center after Helen Moore, a dedicated community advocate and critic of the administration, who was present and visibly moved by the honor.
Mayor Duggan’s address was seemingly more than a look back at hard times; it was a powerful affirmation of his dedication to every corner of Detroit, heralding a new era for a city rising with determination and unity. This wasn’t just a speech; it was a rallying cry for all Detroiters, signaling a rebirth not just of places, but of hope and collective spirit. Detroiters welcome the amazing changes that have happened and are happening downtown, but the devil is in the details. People just desire to be seen, heard, and valued but more importantly, they want to see that change, they want to feel that change. Just like anyone can come downtown and see a tangible change, our communities want and deserve it too.
“We’ve got a chance to introduce ourselves again to America, and when we do, we hope to be just like the Lions and introduce America to a very different Detroit than they expected,” said the mayor.
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