Getting Down to Business (Finally)

Got an email a week or ao back that surprised me…A reader noted that most of my blog posts talk about business or the economy. I know this area is a passion of mine, but I failed to notice that it was dominating my coverage of Detroit, its challenges and its opportunities.

Balance aside, I feel entirely justified in writing these posts in part due to Mayor Dave Bing's televised address Wednesday night. His statement focused on the “Detroit Works Project,” the city's effort to set an agenda or strategy for Detroit's future. The basic plan is to get everyone involved in determining where Detroit needs to go both now and for generations to come. Bing specifically talked about business and its impact on Detroit's long-term health.

Why? Jobs. Jobs. Jobs.

So sayeth the Bingster:

Detroit's 140 square miles, much of it vacant or underutilized, is considered by many the largest obstacle facing a city that must become safer, more efficient and more attractive to employers and residents at a time of declining population and financial resources. … During this 12-18 month process, we will also continue working hard to address the concerns you face today, knocking down the dangerous vacant building on your block, doing everything in our power to continue the steady stream of employers reinvesting in our city and increasing the gains made in public safety over the last 12 months.

Read the whole statement here. Watch the video here. I obviously added the bold stuff because I like to pretend I'm right about everything.

And if you think Mayor Bing is all optimistic about this stuff, read this comment from his urban planner, Toni Griffin in The Detroit News:

Griffin told (Detroit City Council) … “If we can't make this work I think we are in trouble. But I think we can,” she said.

Bing (and his collective staff) clearly has a good head on those broad shoulders. I'm glad he stepped back from the original "shrinking the city" talk that seemed to scare people. These meetings, although they promise to be tedious and painful at times, will give city residents and outsiders like moi a chance to hear what is happening, add comments and maybe change a mind or two.

There's no way to make EVERYONE in Detroit happy. We're just a bunch of ornery cusses around here. But there's no way we can carry on this way. Change is a must. Sitting still is DOOM. Save our city! I'm tired of being  a punchline for bad television police shows!

Come one, come all to the first meeting. See you at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile. I'll be the one wearing the red carnation and the horn-rimmed glasses.