"Another grand declaration by City Hall. Another box of air.
In February, Mayor Bing announced Project 14 setting aside $30 million in federal money to encourage police officers to move back to the city. The incentives included $25,000 for a down payment, up to $150,000 on renovations and the possibility of loan forgiveness. So how many cops have moved back to date?
Zero. As one cop told me: "It's too dangerous."
This week, Bing held a news conference announcing his Detroit Works Project promising to "right-size" the city, re-imagine the neighborhoods, and concentrate citizens in village-like pockets to better serve them. He said that the entire city would receive "increased" services.
Special attention, however, will go to three areas that already sort of work by Detroit standards: Palmer Woods, Boston Edison and Hubbard Farms in southwest Detroit. After six months, Bing said he will study what works there and repeat it citywide.
But in a city hemorrhaging money - where bus, fire and police services have been cut - the mayor could not guarantee a revenue source for these new services.
I wonder who advises this guy and who writes his script now that Karen Dumas - his so-called Madam Butterfly - is gone.
In fact, I had coffee with Dumas Thursday morning. She lives in Detroit, but not one of those "high-functioning" areas that will receive special attention. She and her neighbors were shocked to find out that Indian Village doesn't make the cut.
Dumas bought her home for a half-million a few years ago. She figures it's worth $50,000 today. Nevertheless, she still pays $10,000 in property tax, 2.5 percent in city income tax as well as the highest insurance and utility rates in the state.
What's she have to show for it?
"They stole my truck Sunday," she said. It was the second time".............READ MORE
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