It’s that time of year again: A time for grand promises about what the New Year will hold for us in our personal lives, our careers and our relationships with each other. I often find myself inadvertently making lists about what I could work on to make my life more fulfilling and productive throughout the year and decidedly putting off my actionable date until January 1, but what can I say? Procrastination is a vice that I may never shake (despite it topping my resolution list every year).
This year’s list includes several new additions, however. On top of the usual health related goals of drinking more water and really, actually trying to go to the gym every once in a while, I have borrowed a few resolutions from friends and family who have been wildly successful in their last year including reading one new book every week or 52 books over the next year (thanks to @emach2012 for the idea!)
But, as a recent official resident of the City of Detroit, I feel like this New Year is about more than my personal resolutions, but will be greatly affected by the resolutions made by the new City Government and leadership throughout Metro Detroit. As Detroit looks to 2014, it is faced with the realities of declared bankruptcy, the continued presence of a thoughtful, but determined Emergency Manager and a record of promises made but not kept in the past. Detroit, however, is also looking forward to a new Mayor, City Council, and Public Lighting Authority in addition to continued investments in the downtown core and perhaps some that will push the boundaries even farther.
So what might be on Detroit’s New Year’s Resolutions list this year? Here are a few ideas, to start:
1. Find a Balance
Though the eager mayor-elect Mike Duggan will be sworn into office next week, he will not have the same power that his predecessors had while the city remains under the eye of Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. While Governor Snyder has given all power to the Emergency Manager, Orr continues to stress the importance of a balance of power between the Mayor, City Council and the Emergency Manager Office. This year, the government of Detroit will need to focus on maintaining a healthy balance of power and preparing for a successful transition out of emergency management by 2015.
2. Rehabilitate
Detroit is a city with a powerful history, made evident by the impressive architecture scattered throughout the city. It has been a tragic trend in history to abandon and let these buildings become dilapidated beyond repair, but in 2014, things are set to change. The David Whitney building, which has stood abandoned since 2000 will be finished in June and will be Detroit’s first boutique hotel complete with restaurants and a connection to the People Mover. The Hudson site, which has been a lonely building pad for 15 years finally has a design firm enlisted to begin its transformation. Improvements and extensions are also underway for the Detroit Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut, both intended to improve the connectedness of the greater Downtown. Finally, work on the M-1 Rail is rumored to start within the next few months. While the initial line will just run a few miles, this rail will hopefully become a major connection to nearby suburbs such as Ferndale and Royal Oak.
3. Reinvent
In the past few years, Detroit has had incredible success in attracting interesting, creative and innovative companies to its Central Business District. Companies such as Detroit Venture Partners have been integral in fostering an environment that supports start-up growth in the City and many companies in the suburbs are being attracted to the area by what Jeff Lambert of PR firm Lambert Edwards & Co calls the “business cheerleading section” in the downtown area. But 2014 is going to be about more than just creating jobs. Thanks to organizations such as Grand Circus and D:hive Build Courses, this year can be focused on creating an employable workforce as well. This will not only be important for attracting new companies, but will also help retain and support talent that has been residing in the city all along.
So, that’s the short list, but really it’s only the beginning. As I spend the next 9 months living, working, playing, giving, leading and blogging in the City, I am sure that more changes and more resolutions will come. So what are your ideas? Where do you think 2014 will take Detroit?
For more information/inspiration:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/26/detroit-in-20-years-2033_n_4269422.html
http://bridgemi.com/2013/05/in-turnaround-suburbs-lose-business-to-detroit-after-years-of-flight/