I have mentioned this before; the Downtown Detroit Partnership is in the midst of its 23rd mayoral transition. Not surprising, given that the DDP – the city’s lead advocate – is 104 years old.
As with any change, it is important for businesses and residents to pay close attention to this new administration and how it is managing the transition.
First, it’s really not two weeks but two months and two weeks. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield was prepared for this role. Lest we forget, she was the youngest City Council member (26 years old) in the office’s history and the youngest City Council president. If there is anyone committed to public service and improving the lives of Detroiters, it’s our new Mayor.
And not surprising, she’s off to a great start, and I can demonstrate this in some obvious and not-so-obvious ways. No matter how you slice it, Mayor Sheffield is leading with integrity, creativity, responsibility, and practicality, all while establishing her priorities, and I’m extremely proud that the DDP’s leadership is deeply involved.
Let’s start with the obvious. Recent news.
Mayor Sheffield announced the expansion of the Rx Kids program to Detroit, which will provide direct cash assistance to expectant and new mothers before and after their child’s birth.
In response to the devastatingly high poverty rate in Detroit, she created the Department of Human, Homeless, and Family Services and appointed Luke Shaefer, Ph.D. a leading scholar on poverty and social welfare from the University of Michigan as its chief executive.
These are thoughtful and innovative approaches to two of the city’s most pressing issues, and they are clearly areas of priority for Mayor Sheffield.
Then there’s the joint announcement with Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison that the city has seen the lowest number of homicides in 60 years, along with reductions in other areas. I wrote about this milestone in a recent LinkedIn post. Announcements like this have the potential to alter an image that has plagued the city for decades.
The not-so-obvious was the strategic and respectful way Mayor Sheffield celebrated this news.
“Safer communities and historic reductions in crime like this don’t happen without effective strategies, great partnerships, and the political will to fund these efforts. All of those things exist in Detroit and will continue to exist in the Sheffield Administration.”
No need to grandstand or take credit on this one. Instead, recognize that what worked before will work again, and there’s no better way to do that than with the reappointment of Chief Bettison to her team.
The Chief is a strong partner of the DDP. As is Conrad Mallett, reappointed as Corporation Counsel, and Hassan Beydoun, who maintains his role as chief executive of Economic Development. All three are DDP Board Members and incredibly dedicated to the city.
Other DDP partners in the administration that the Mayor has reappointed include:
- Executive Fire Commissioner: Chuck Simms
- Deputy Director Detroit Homeland Security & Emergency Management: Hilton Kincaid
- Director of Human Resources: Denise Starr
- Director of the Department of Public Works: Ron Brundidge
- Executive Director of Transit: Robert Kramer
- General Manager of the Detroit People Mover: Melia Howard
Whether these appointments are short-term or long-term, they speak to Mayor Sheffield’s leadership style and her willingness to acknowledge past expertise and maintain continuity during the transition. Mayor Sheffield is not going to change things for the sake of change. That’s not creating value but potentially destroying it.
I also want to acknowledge the bench strength of the transition committees that the Mayor and Transition Leader Butch Hollowell put together. Seeking support and advice from community leaders supports knowledge sharing and builds partnerships that can last throughout the term. Here again, several DDP Board Members have been on board since the election:
- David Egner – Philanthropic Services
- Laura Grannemann – Philanthropic Services
- Richard Hosey – Housing and Planning Committee
- Wendy Jackson – Philanthropic Services
- David Massaron – Finance Committee
- Mike McLauchlan – Public Policy Committee
- Donald Rencher Philanthropic Services
- Nicole Sherard-Freeman – Workforce, Economic and Small Business Development Committee
- Arn Tellem – Tourism, Branding and Special Events Committees
The DDP has enjoyed close communication with Hollowell and his team. Given our longevity, the DDP’s legacy includes support for new administrations. We look forward to advancing existing projects (I-375, I-75, Public Safety/Health, Public Space Enhancements) and supporting new projects that advance our mission to cultivate social and economic impact in Detroit.
At her inauguration, our 76th mayor gave another nod to her predecessor.
“Mr. Mayor (Mike Duggan), for your remarkable leadership, your service and partnership over the last 12 years, for leading our city throughout recovery and rebuilding confidence in Detroit’s future … I say thank you.”
The transition team chose “Rise Higher Detroit” as its theme. The beauty of these three words is that we can build on all that was accomplished by Mayor Duggan with the understanding that it is no longer about maintaining momentum but accelerating it.
We have a new leader, elected by a record number of constituents, who is the city’s first female mayor and a woman of color. We have a leader who will prove invaluable in improving the lives of Detroiters and making our city a great place to live, work, play and invest. We have a lot to look forward to.