Duggan's Detroit: Progress since bankruptcy celebrated at State of the City

The mayor suggests stable finances, improved public safety and a new philosophy will set the city up for its future without him.

City Council members sit behind Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Tuesday, March 25, 2025 inside the new Hudson’s Detroit building. Photo: Samuel Robinson

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan touted the accomplishments of his administration in an energetic State of the City speech Tuesday, his last as mayor.

He emphasized combining community, philanthropic and business interests to get things done, like Dan Gilbert’s new Hudson’s building, which hosted to the event.

Duggan, who became mayor in 2014 amid the city’s historic bankruptcy, credited working together with council members, community and business leaders for the city’s success. He said he reformed city government from an “Us-versus-them, Detroit vs. Everybody,” mentality to a collaborative one.

The room was filled with city employees, elected officials and regional leaders who gave standing ovations at points throughout the remarks. Many of the individuals in the room represented a key part of his base should his gubernatorial campaign see success: longtime Democratic voters willing to vote for a candidate outside of their political party.

The mayor is running for governor, as an independent, leaving a Democratic Party struggling to find an identity behind. It was hard not to think about his campaign Tuesday when several of the videos displayed leading up to his remarks were paid for by the political action committee that has supported him in past elections.