Detroit --Mayor Dave Bing said today his troubled city could have a bright future if it properly downsizes, markets its positives and find ways to re-create vibrant, safe communities to attract new growth.
"Without a doubt, we've got to downsize the city," Bing said of the city's shrinking population.
He said the city needs to "market our strengths" such as the casinos and the Detroit River.
Bing made the statements at a Time magazine and Brookings Institute-sponsored forum titled "Reimaging Detroit: Making Washington A Partner in Detroit's Next Economy." The event was at the Alfred Taubman Center in the College of Creative Studies near downtown.
Other forum participants were John Austin, senior fellow at the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program; Carol Goss, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation and Steve Hamp, chairman of the New Economy Initiative.
The mayor also said:
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