Is the City of Detroit Undergoing a Renaissance?
Is Detroit Michigan Under a Renaissance?
Introduction: A Renaissance can be defined as a revival of learning, the arts, culture, politics and sciences. A Renaissance involves a rise into the modern world; a cultural rebirth of enlightenment and new discover. Detroit has experienced something of a Renaissance and the city's rebirth will be discussed in this paper.
Amy Lane writing in Crain's Detroit Business tells readers that Detroit Renaissance Incorporated was formed in 1970 by business leaders concerned with transforming the city's troubled past into a promising future. Detroit Renaissance Inc. is a private, non-profit organization which brings the business community's leadership and resources together to encourage and facilitate the physical and economic revitalization of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Detroit Renaissance's Board of Directors is composed of chief executive officers of major Southeast Michigan corporations. Among the board members are the CEOs of the Big Three automobile manufacturers in addition to CEOs of related supplier companies, utilities and financial institutions. These comprise the largest membership block and contributors to the organization (Lane 3).
Mary Kramer writing in Crain's Detroit Business suggested in an article published in 2004 that next three years will be critical to Detroit's. She explains that there is currently a mini housing boom in the city. This boom will either accelerate or fizzle depending on the actions of the city, the mayor and the planning commission. If school reforms are permitted to continues, a middle-class base of families with bright career prospects has a fighting chance to grow. Any backsliding on the issue of school reform could mean a return to unacceptably low standardized test scores and unacceptably high dropout and teen pregnancy rates. Kramer adds that the buildup of a stretch of Detroit's riverfr...