Time Running Out for Detroit, Mayor Bing Not Running for Re-election

Deadline Detroit – Tick,tock,tick it’s now apparent the shot-clock is winding down on future of Detroit and the tenure of David Bing former NBA star, Hall of Famer and current Mayor of the City of Detroit as he announced today he will not seek re-election.  Within hours of the election-filing deadline, Mayor Bing announced during a press conference at the Charles H. Wright Museum of American History he would not seek a second term of office.

While there is still unfinished business to handle in Detroit – in terms of the restructuring process, the time is now to step away Mayor Bing indicated. Mayor Bing, 69, has had a successful track record as a businessman – Bing Steel and star player with the Detroit Pistons.  He was elected into office amongst the swirl of political corruption and controversy surrounding former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick – recently convicted on a number of federal conspiracy charges while in office with the hopes of restoring trust, transparency and qualified leadership to the executive office.

However, Mayor Bings’ foray into politics can be characterized as nothing more than double dribbles, standing-in-the-pain and offensive fouls while desperately trying to score for team Detroit. The problem, Bing under estimated the opposition – Detroit’s economic situation, Detroit City Council and his ability to get out on the fast break to communicate a shared vision for Detroit after he was elected.

What’s next for Detroit?  Hard to say at the moment, Detroit now has an Emergency Financial Manager Kevyn Orr – appointed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder who is wading through Detroit’s books to see how a $380 million deficit and long-term debt that extends nearly $15 billion needs to be managed.

Detroit is the only major city in America under state control and facing possible bankruptcy.  The future of Detroit is yet TBD but one thing is certain – the upcoming mayoral race is sure to heat up as wannabe candidates have already come out of the wreckage like an ambulance-chasing attorney. Mayoral hopefuls who have stepped up to this point include former Detroit Medical Center CEO and Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Duggan, current Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon and a host of other bench players looking to lead Detroit back to prominence.

Detroit is often considered a tale of two cities: one place where the crime rate is rising – reporting 411 homicides in 2012, high unemployment rate, a failed public school system already under state control with a emergency financial manager, high foreclosure rates and enough vacant land to create a whole other city in possible.

On the other hand, there’s the Detroit where the Big Three – billionaires Dan Gilbert founder and chairman of Quicken Loan, Mike Illitch, founder of Little Ceasers Pizza and automotive racing team owner Roger Penske have been inspirational in purchasing or re-populating once vacant space in downtown Detroit with new business, loft space and encouraging a new generation of young people, entrepreneurs and creative minds to live, work and play in Detroit.

Is it the death or rebirth of a major urban city?  Only the tea leaves know at the moment. If I were a beating man I would not bet against Detroit.

They say in the event of a nuclear holocaust only Twinkies, and cockroaches will survive.  You can add a third – the will of Detroit.