In his latest column, Nolan Finley argues that the city needs a handful of super-powerful business titans [[a la Penske) to step in and save it:

Certainly, there is a committed corps of bright, dedicated business people who wear themselves out trying to fix Detroit's problems. But they're too few in number, and too few of them can be called giants. The erosion of Detroit's industrial base has left it without the concentration of wealth and power that produces world-class leadership ... But leadership of the Ford/Fisher caliber is what it will take to save Detroit.
I posted a rebuttal on my blog, think Detroit, but here's the gist:

  • Major business leaders who devote time and money to the city's revitalization deserve praise and gratitude, but it's delusional and defies history to expect anyone, however rich and powerful, to swoop in and "save" the city.


  • The city's quick-fix approach to development has produced a series of major developments -- the Ren Cen, casinos, stadiums, hotels -- but no true revival, especially of the neighborhoods, most of which continue to rapidly decline.


  • The most important work being done in the city is happening from the bottom up. Foundations should be backing innovative non-profits, small businesses, and start-ups, or projects with broad community support, like the Riverfront Conservancy, not mega-block projects focused solely downtown.

Ultimately, I think the city's revitalization may depend on welding these two different visions of change together -- community-supported projects backed by big name dollars -- the Riverfront Conservancy being a great example.

Thoughts?