Detroit at a Crossroads: Duggan’s Legacy, a Decade of Change, and the Next Leader’s Challenge

When Mike Duggan launched his improbable write-in campaign in 2013, Detroit was under the shadow of the largest municipal bankruptcy in history. That same year, former city workers feared for their pensions, neighborhoods were drowning in blight, and essential services were slipping further out of reach. Many wondered if Detroit would ever get back on its feet. Fast forward to 2024, and though the city is not without its struggles, there’s no doubt Duggan’s results-oriented governance has reshaped the city in remarkable ways. Now, as Duggan nears a pivotal decision about whether he’ll seek another term or pass the torch, Detroiters find themselves at a crossroads, reflecting on the past decade while grappling with what remains to be done. Charity Dean, once a member of Duggan’s cabinet and now president and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, reflects on the mayor’s impact with a mix of admiration and realism. “I would give him a lot of credit for the transformation that we’ve seen downtown, for sure,” Dean shares, acknowledging the undeniable strides in infrastructure and investment Duggan has championed. “We’ve seen neighborhood transformation as well. We still have a long way to go in our city, for sure, but...