As Detroit gears up for its mayoral election on November 4, citizens will choose between two prominent figures: Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. and the current Detroit City Council President, Mary Sheffield. Sheffield recently shared insights into her vision for Detroit in an interview with Doug Tribou, host of Michigan Public’s Morning Edition.
Neighborhood Development and Housing
Mary Sheffield, who made history as the youngest elected council member in 2014 and later as the youngest city council president in 2022, emphasized the importance of neighborhood development. Her key focus lies in revitalizing commercial corridors by bringing back essential amenities such as grocery stores and coffee shops. “We want to retain those that are here, but we also want to attract and to continue to grow our population,” she stated.
Sheffield aims to tackle housing issues by building upon the $1 billion already invested in affordable housing. Her plans include enhancing paths to homeownership and constructing more single-family homes to ensure safe and affordable housing for all families. She is also committed to addressing homelessness.
Economic Growth and Business Development
Sheffield outlined her strategy to attract businesses beyond downtown Detroit, highlighting the need to modernize outdated zoning laws. “What we’ve realized is, there are a lot of antiquated zoning and ordinances that are on the books,” she remarked, suggesting that simplifying these processes would facilitate business growth in local neighborhoods.
Furthermore, Sheffield advocates for the effective use of the Corridor Improvement Authority, which allows tax revenue within certain areas to be reinvested for local development, thus accelerating the growth of commercial corridors.
Affordable Housing and Blight Removal
Addressing the challenge of vacant lots due to blight removal, Sheffield draws inspiration from Philadelphia’s initiatives. She supports the use of city-owned land for affordable housing development and highlights Detroit’s PILOT program, which reduces property taxes in exchange for lower rents. Additionally, a partnership with Huntington Bank aims to provide down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Collaboration and Challenges
Reflecting on her collaboration with current Mayor Mike Duggan, Sheffield acknowledges past disagreements, such as those surrounding the Pistons’ move to Little Caesars Arena. However, she highlights the productive outcomes of these disputes, including the creation of a neighborhood-improvement fund that revitalizes vacant lots.
Safety and Policing
While crime rates have decreased over the last 12 years, Sheffield believes more work is needed to improve public perception and ensure neighborhood safety. Her plans include bolstering community violence intervention programs and expanding the Mental Health Co-response Unit within the Detroit Police Department.
State Relations and Funding
Sheffield stresses the importance of maintaining strong relationships with state officials in Lansing to secure funding for Detroit’s initiatives. She cites recent successes in obtaining budget allocations for community violence intervention and transit projects. “Whatever happens in Detroit impacts this entire region,” Sheffield emphasizes, indicating her commitment to fostering these essential relationships.
Editor’s note: Some quotes in this article have been lightly edited for length and clarity. You can hear the full interview near the top of this page.
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