DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City address on Tuesday night, nearly three months after she was inaugurated as the first female mayor.
The address took place at Mumford High School, and the mayor's office said it reflected on "Detroit's remarkable transformation and the road ahead."
Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below:
Watch Alicia Smith's video report below:
Web Extra: Political analyst Mario Morrow gives his thoughts on last night's State of the City Address
Sheffield pledged a "living wage" of $21 an hour for city workers, eliminating bus fare for every K-12 student, sidewalk repairs and improving safety. Earlier this month, the mayor announced plans to install 3,000 streetlights.
She also spoke about growing the city's population.
You can watch the full speech below:
"The State of the City address gives Detroiters a chance to hear directly from Mayor Sheffield about the policies and programs shaping their neighborhoods and daily lives. From lowering the cost of living and expanding homeownership to investing in families and improving City services, the address outlines how the administration’s priorities are working to make Detroit a more affordable, safer, and more opportunity-filled city for residents," the mayor's office said.
7 News Detroit spoke with several people who attended the address.
“I’m a potential mover to Detroit. So, I’m looking to purchase a house here in Detroit," Robert Mitchell told 7 News Detroit. He said the speech sealed the deal for him.
Matthew Taylor, 17, said, “It feels like I am actually being heard. I’m actually being seen. Somebody actually, like, looking out for us.”
Previous report: Detroit mayor: 3,000 streetlights to be installed in the city
He said the mayor’s plan to improve the city bus system and allow students K-12 grade to ride the bus for free, 24-7, resonated with him.
“I rode the bus to get here, matter of fact. Crazy thing is, the bus, one of the buses broke down on my way here, so the fact she said there’s going to be new buses, more buses, more repairing and free rides is like a great plus for me honestly,” Taylor said.
Jennine Spencer told 7 News Detroit, “Most exciting to me was the minimum wage, increasing the money for (Detroit employees)."
Previous report: Detroit Mayor Sheffield launches city's first community safety office to help in crime prevention
During her speech, Sheffield explained, “64% percent of Detroiters working full-time are not paid a livable wage. That means one unexpected expense could lead to foreclosure, eviction and homelessness. Detroiters who put in a full days work should not have to work two or three jobs just to meet their most basic needs.”
Pastor Mo Hardwick with the Live in Peace movement, said Sheffield's speech "was inspiring. I’ve never heard anybody come with that much grassroots people oriented plan for the city.”
Longtime Detroiter Leslie Graham Andrews said, “Lots of opportunity. It doesn’t look like anybody was left out. All the needs were included. And it was important to see but more importantly, it gave us something to look forward to.”
Icewear Vezzo, a Detroit rapper said, “What make it even more amazing for me is just watching everything actually happen, you know, watching it come full circle.”
