DETROIT – As Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan prepares to leave office after three terms, he reflects on a tenure marked by downtown revival, improved council relations, and changing city politics.
“Every place I have gone, people have been really remarkable these last few weeks,” Duggan said, describing his final days in office.
The transformation of downtown Detroit stands as a visible symbol of the city’s progress under his leadership.
“Last Saturday night, I was downtown, and people were jammed on the sidewalks, and it gave me chills, because that was Detroit,” Duggan recalled.
The outgoing mayor also reflected on his relationship with the Detroit City Council.
“I finished 12 years without vetoing a single act of city council,” Dugan noted. “For a long time, no mayor went 12 days without vetoing something.”
His proudest achievement, however, is his impact on bridging divides.
“Before I ran, everything was black versus white, city versus suburb, us versus them. It was horribly divisive,” Duggan reflected. “I watched this mayoral election and everybody [focused] on unity, build on the success. The politics of this city has dramatically changed, and the city is going to be better off for years to come.”
When asked about the regrets of his tenure, Duggan pointed to the pace of improvements in public transportation.
“I wish we had gotten turned around earlier. You’re going to see 100 new buses and 70 new drivers, and the new terminal in place, and by next summer, you’re going to see really good DDOT service. I wish I had gotten that done earlier,” he said.
As he concludes his time in office, Duggan expressed gratitude for the residents who have supported him.
He noted the continued engagement of citizens, even in his final days.
“People coming up and wishing me well, praying for me, telling me about the dead tree in front of their house, too. That’s all good because they expect me to do something about it, and I just hope it’s really a great new year for everybody,” Duggan said.
Duggan’s final day as mayor is Dec. 31. Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield will take over on Jan. 1.