About a decade ago, I recall an article that said choosing a mayor may be more important than choosing a president. The author’s case was a good one. Cities drive innovation and transportation and are more flexible, can experiment, and work directly with their constituents — whether businesses, residents, institutions, community leaders, or others.
As one would expect, the role of mayor—and, to a large extent, the Detroit City Council—requires an exceptional set of skills, talents, and attributes. As Detroit’s CEO, being mayor is a 24/7/365 job that can be incredibly rewarding and thankless at the same time. The idea of running for the position immediately puts individuals in a class that most of us would never consider attending.
It may sound cliché, but Detroit needs the right person in the job to maintain the momentum the city is witnessing, thanks in large part to Mayor Mike Duggan, his leadership, and his ability to work with others. In my history with Detroit, which extends beyond my role at the DDP, I have never seen so much attention paid to our city. Tourism is up. Investments are up. Population is on the rise. We are experiencing a transformation so profound that not investing the time and energy required to pick the right person in November could only be described as negligence.
To that end, next month, the DDP, with support from Deloitte, will begin conversations with voter groups and other constituents, Mayor Duggan, and the mayoral and Detroit City Council candidates to gain ideas and consensus on what the city’s priorities are now and what they will be as we look ahead.
Knowledge is power
Whomever the voters elect in November our goal is to ensure they understand the challenges and opportunities that will present themselves as new leadership step into their roles. To do that, we want to hear from diverse groups including large and small businesses, nonprofits, employees, residents, and neighborhood leaders and community groups. We will encourage frank and honest opinions and insights from all participants, who will remain anonymous.
To be fair, an exercise like this has the potential to benefit more than just the election. It allows the DDP team and board of directors to look closely at our own priorities. And I expect it will help others do the same. I should add that any discussions we facilitate will not focus exclusively on Downtown Detroit but all of Detroit. The DDP has increasingly expanded our role in addressing the needs of neighborhoods outside the urban core and we have been asked to use our expertise to take a leadership role in urban innovation projects such as I-375 and I-75. Projects that impact the entire city. However, we must acknowledge the importance of Downtown to the city’s overall prosperity. It is the largest provider of jobs and tax revenues and the driver of most of our media attention, all of which support all Detroiters.
Longevity, Integrity, Vision
Finally, the Downtown Detroit Partnership is in the unique position to provide a unique perspective. Over our 103-year history, we have worked with 21 Detroit administrations. Partnering with all levels of government is critical to our work, but none so much as Detroit’s mayor and city council. We’ve made it a point to maintain solid relationships with the offices for decades, always ready to pick up the phone, attend a meeting, and provide the necessary support. We intend to provide the same support for our 22nd mayor and the next City Council.
We have long been known as the organization able to connect people and projects – the convener. Our legacy also includes always having the best interest of the city and its constituents in mind as we work to carry out of mission of cultivating social and economic development in the Downtown.
If we succeed, starting on day one, the city’s new leadership will be in a strong position to deliver on priorities that support a city where people want to live, work, and invest.
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