Mayor Mike Duggan, in his final State of the City address delivered inside the newly erected Bedrock's Hudson's Detroit development, solidified his vision for Detroit's progression, touching on the city's remarkable turnaround since his term began in 2014. Striding from the legacy of historic bankruptcy, Duggan spoke to a future of affluence that Detroit homeowners could hold, citing a University of Michigan finding that reported homeowners in Detroit gained $4.6 billion in wealth over the last decade, as reported by CBS News.
According to a Detroit News report, Duggan prided on key urban developments such as the drop in homicides and a $1.4 billion investment into the Hudson's Detroit project; this project serves as a tangible testament to the seismic shifts in Detroit's landscape, which now pivots on a foundational reserve of $550 million to guard against potential fiscal crises, and he said, "Our finances are better because of all the people working and living in the city, paying the taxes. This is real gain."
With an eye on his upcoming gubernatorial campaign, Duggan remained steadfast in his belief that his efforts were not solely responsible for Detroit's revival, stating that the city's future growth would continue for the next five years based on a collective partnership. During his speech, Duggan took a moment to ensure Detroiters that the improvements would sustain beyond his mayoral tenure, an assurance echoed in the sentiments of Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III, who's running for mayor and credited Duggan with laying down a strong foundation for continued growth, as noted by The Detroit News.
In addition to economic wins, Duggan touted the decline in violent crime rates and the city's investment in homelessness initiatives, the latter coming in the wake of a tragic incident wherein two children, living in a van with their mother, perished due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Duggan's administration has responded by doubling the number of 24-hour outreach teams, with the former mayor stating, "Street outreach has been expanding, with two teams now working 24 hours a day to find and house anyone living on the street who wants shelter," as per a report by The Detroit News.
On the horizon for Detroit is the renovation of the Renaissance Center, as disclosed in Duggan’s speech, while the planned transformation is expected to further integrate the iconic building with the city's ongoing development projects. Yet, the proposal faced fiscal resistance, pressing developers to revise the project's taxpayer burden, underscoring the complexities still navigating Detroit's financial landscape. With an enthusiastic "Nothing stops Detroit," Duggan ended his speech, as stated by the Detroit Free Press, leaving residents with a message of enduring hope and striving ambition that unites the historical resilience of this great city with its boundless potential.
