Urban Affairs

Across Michigan, the writing’s on the wall. How you feel about graffiti depends on your age, your attitude, and whether you mind spray paint in an urban landscape.

Some cities now have safe zones for legal graffiti in a bid to contain it. Whether graffiti writers will comply is another question.

For Detroit, municipal bankruptcy has made the world aware of what Michigan already knew: Detroit is broke. No matter how it turns out, bankruptcy is not going to change things very quickly. Detroit will still be broke. Lester Graham with Michigan Watch reports that’s going to force the city to get creative.

As Detroit’s historic island park transitions to state control, upgrades are being watched closely by city residents, including many who remain wary of the motives of state government.

Bridge has a Q-and-A with new Skillman chief Tonya Allen, who talks about the challenges facing her hometown.

MiWeek host Christy McDonald takes a look at the Detroit Journalism Cooperative, a new partnership launched this week between non-profit media organizations throughout southeast Michigan, including DPTV.

Mayor Duggan vows to improve services in six months. We have broader ambitions – to mark where Detroit stands today on jobs, safety and other key measures, then hold leaders accountable in the year ahead.

Detroit’s new mayor and City Council are taking ownership of fixing street lights, blight and bus service within six months. Can they succeed where others failed?

Money may not solve everything, but it would sure help ordinary Detroiters when they need working fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Bankruptcy savings may provide a real boost.

High unemployment and a modestly educated workforce present a tough challenge. A push to attract highly skilled immigrants may boost job hopes.

Decades of reform have failed to boost student learning in Detroit’s struggling public schools. Will improved teacher training help?

What makes a city appealing can’t always be measured: Community spirit. Inviting parks. A vibrant cultural scene. Now, if only leaders could do something about Detroit’s insurance and tax rates.

Michigan’s most trusted nonprofit news organizations are joining forces to produce data-driven journalism on Detroit’s financial crisis – and the road ahead.