Detroit's Failed Regional Transit Plan Strikes a Blow to the City's Revival

Voters in the Detroit region had a chance to reverse 40 years of neglect for regional transit. Instead, they kicked the can down the road.

2 minute read

November 11, 2016, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"So many breaks have gone Detroit's way the past few years that we were bound to lose a big one sooner or later," begins an article by John Gallagher. He continues without leaving the reader in suspense:

That loss came Tuesday when voters rejected the Regional Transit Authority millage proposal. Tax-adverse residents in Macomb County shot it down in such numbers that they overcame a break-even vote in Oakland and approval of the measure in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. The total vote was what counted.

With the vote, the region "lost its best hope in decades to build a unified and efficient public transportation system in the four-county area," writes Gallagher.

As noted in an article by Angie Schmitt in October, regional transportation has always been a tough sell in the traditional home of the American auto manufacturers. It took 40 years and 23 attempts to establish the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan in 2012. Even Tuesday's referendum had to come back from the dead once to make it to the ballot.

According to Gallagher, the failure of voters to approve the regional transit plan earlier this week strikes a symbolic blow to Detroit's revitalization. That revitalization, however, has focused in the area of downtown, where distances are walkable and transit options are relatively rich. Meanwhile, people like James Robertson are forced to walk 21 miles on his commute between his home in Detroit and his job in Rochester Hills. 

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 in Detroit Free Press

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.