DETROIT (WXYZ) — Hundreds of people were in attendance for Mayor Mike Duggan's State of the City address at Flex’n’Gate on Detroit’s east side Tuesday.
The mayor focused on several key issues including public safety, auto insurance and business growth over the last year. Duggan told those in attendance that the city is making progress, and that it's on the right path with plenty of growth expected over the next year.
Duggan talked about issues that matter to Detroiters. Issues like fair housing, education, jobs, eliminating blight and marijuana in Detroit. However, he really honed in on three key issues: auto insurance, public safety and business growth.
"While they couldn’t fix the damn roads, they sat down and worked out car insurance and passed Senate Bill 1," Duggan said Tuesday night. "It doesn’t take effect until July 2 and more rate cuts come a year from now."
Duggan's supporters applauded the effort.
"I think things are happening," said Finn Formika about the mayor's auto insurance plan. "The D is doing what it needs to do, and a lot of people here are supportive of him and what’s happening."
Doors are open here at @flexngate in Detroit for @MayorMikeDuggan state of the city address. The Mayor expected to talk about 3 key topics, auto insurance, business, public safety. More tonight at 10 @tv20detroit and 11 @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/1Gfniofo14
— ALAN CAMPBELL (@AlanCampbellTV) February 25, 2020
Business owners say seeing so much growth business-wise is also a positive.
"When Al Bartells Red Door lady shoes opened last Sunday, it was the 16th new business opened since 2019," Duggan said. "Fifteen of them are black owned businesses. This is what we are trying to build."
"The more, the merrier," added business owner Nikki Neuzil. "We definitely need a lot more retail and small business options in the city of Detroit, so it very promising."
The mayor says the State of the City is positive. The city is ahead of the curve. He says work still needs to be done but the people of Detroit should know the best is yet to come.
"I’m convinced that together we can be the mayor and council that will raise life in the city of Detroit after 55 years of failed promises. God bless you and good evening," said Mayor Duggan as he left the stage.
The mayor also said DPD will be adding 400 police officers with starting salaries also going up. Overall, Mayor Duggan says the city of Detroit is on the right path moving forward.
