Detroit is the largest city in the midwestern state of Michigan. It is home to the Detroit Institute of Arts, where Diego Rivera created the famous Detroit Industry Murals, which depict the auto industry. Known as “Motor City,” the automobile industry was an important factor in the city’s growth. The music industry is also important in Detroit, with Motown Records’ headquarters in Hitsville U.S.A. and several music industry museums.
Although the city has a relatively low taxable value per capita, the city needs to levy higher property taxes to make up for the lower revenue. In order to compensate for these high property taxes, basic services are often cut. This creates a vicious cycle for the residents of Detroit, and many do not even realize the connection between tax dollars and benefits. Consequently, the population of the city is shrinking and the housing market is full of fixer-uppers.
The city is 80 percent black and has been a majority-black area for decades. As a result, black culture permeates every part of life in Detroit. Whether you’re at a public event or a private party, there’s bound to be dancing and music. Similarly, you’ll find colorful murals depicting black icons everywhere. Visiting the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit is a must for cultural exploration. Among the best museums in the city are the Heidelberg Project, which is designed by and for black artists, and the Dabls African Bead Museum.
While the city is often criticized for its poor quality of services, it still has some positive points. One of its greatest assets is its high tax rates. According to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Detroit has the highest property tax rate of any city in the United States. Combined with the high tax rate, it would seem counterproductive to see why the city suffers from such poor services. Ultimately, these factors are deeply-rooted and terminal, but in this case, the positive aspects of Detroit should be viewed in a more positive light.
The city’s public schools are in poor shape. The city’s infrastructure is outdated and unsuitable for living comfortably. Its infrastructure is ineffective and not enough money flows in to the city. Despite the negative image, the city has many positive qualities. For example, the weather is not too cold in the summer. Overall, the climate is mild and pleasant in most months. The most notable drawback to Detroit is its bad public administration. The public administration is primarily responsible for all the problems the city faces.
The public administration in Detroit is the problem. In addition to poor services, bad infrastructure, and a high tax rate, the city has a number of other issues that make it an attractive place for businesses. However, the most significant problem is the fact that the city has failed to attract capital, making the city an outlier in urban America. If we don’t care about the city’s public administration, we can’t expect it to be successful.