Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan talks city's future in final State of the City address: "Nothing stops Detroit"
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his annual State of the City address Tuesday evening.
Duggan presented his thoughts on Detroit's future from inside Bedrock's new mixed-use development on the site of the former Hudson's department store. It was a monumental moment for Duggan, as it was his first time inside the building and his last State of the City address as Detroit's top leader.
"The magnificent building that literally rose from the rubble soaring skyward in the city of Detroit," said Duggan.
In November 2024, Duggan announced he would not seek a fourth term in office. In December, Duggan followed up on that announcement by kicking off his campaign for Michigan governor, electing to run as an independent in the 2026 race.
Duggan is Detroit's 75th mayor. He is serving his third four-year term and is the second-longest-serving mayor behind Coleman Young, who was elected to five terms and 20 years. His current term ends in January 2026.
"Twelve years ago, when I was sworn in, I urged Detroiters not to move out. I said please give us time. Our property values were in the tank. Well, last week we got our report card, and U of M (the University of Michigan) just found that homeowners in Detroit have gained $4.6 billion in wealth in the last ten years," said Duggan.
Duggan first took office in January 2014, and the city emerged from its historic bankruptcy in December of that year.
The mayor boasted about the increase in jobs, lower taxes, expansion of homeless services and public transportation while also highlighting the reduction of violence in the city.
"Homicides down 38%, shootings down 53%, carjacking's down 56%," Duggan said.
The mayor highlighted the investment in Detroit neighborhoods, which provides more affordable housing, and the work along the Detroit Riverfront and Renaissance Center.
Duggan says he wants to turn the riverfront location into an attraction that would rival Chicago's Navy Pier.
His address garnered mixed reactions from lifelong residents.
"Very impactful. Very visionary," said Rufus Bartell.
"I would have liked to see more on what he's doing in the neighborhoods," Keith Williams said.
Though the mayor is now running for governor and moving on, he says the city's future remains bright.
"Nothing stops Detroit," Duggan said.
