What I learned from Detroit
Uncommon Bridges Partner Andrés Mantilla recently visited Detroit as part of a study trip with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
1) Cultural and creative economy needs to be a central part of a City's recovery and re-imagination.
The City of Detroit partnered with institutions, foundations, community organizations, and business leaders to invest in a cultural vision for the City that allowed for robust waterfront development, vibrant nightlife in its downtown neighborhoods, and civic investments to bring in conventions, sporting and other music events to the area.
2) Set a vision, establish parameters for the work, and then act. The work of bringing a downtown out of bankruptcy takes all partners rowing in the same direction. In our conversations, I was drawn to the solutions-oriented thinking that civic leaders brought to the table to tackle difficult issues--addressing workforce development needs, permitting timelines, safety and small business technical assistance-- all these strategies moved closer to the overall goal of reinvesting in Detroit's downtown and its neighborhoods.
