1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years

Detroit’s reputation took two huge hits in the early 1990’s. In 1991, at the 4 th of July Fireworks at Hart Plaza a white woman from the suburbs was beaten by a gang of young black women from the city. The event was caught on video, and shown on local news stations. In 1992, Malice Green was beaten to death by two white police officers, just months after the Rodney King riots in L.A. Mayor.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years Despite that, in the early 1990’s Detroit began to see some sings of a turn around downtown. In 1991, construction began on One Detroit Center, also known as the Comerica Tower. In 1993, Mayor Coleman A. Young decided that he would not seek a sixth term, and would step down as Mayor.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years

Former lawyer and Michigan Supreme Court Judge Dennis Archer defeated Sharon McPhail in 1993 and started his first term as Mayor in During his time as Mayor, Archer worked to bring more development to Downtown Detroit. In 1996, voters in Michigan passed Proposal F allowing Detroit to open three casinos. The three casino groups who won bids for the three spots, opened their temporary casinos in 1999 and 2000.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years Mayor Archer was also instrumental in the public financing of a new Baseball Stadium and Football Stadium. Ground was broken on Comerica Park in 1997, with work on Ford Field beginning in 1999.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years Archer, as well as Mike Illitch, was instrumental in bringing Compuware’s world headquarters to downtown. In addition plans were made to re-open Campus Martius park In front of the new Compuware building.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years In 2001, Kwame Kilpatrick, former State Senator and son of U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks- Kilpatrick, was elected Mayor of Detroit. In his inaugural address he was quoted as saying “I stand before you as a son of the city of Detroit and all that it represents. I was born here in the city of Detroit, I was raised here in the city of Detroit, I went to these Detroit Public Schools. I understand this city.... This position is personal to me. It's much more than just politics. ”

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years Within Kilpatrick’s first term, allegations of mis- spent money plagued. Kilpatrick was charging spas, expensive dining and fine wines to his city issued Credit Card. Kilpatrick repaid $9,000 of the $210,000 charged to the card. These allegations became louder in 2005, while Kilpatrick was running for re-election, when the press asserted that Kilpatrick had authorized for the City to pay $24,995 to lease a Lincoln Navigator for his wife. After weeks of denying the allegations, Kilpatrick admitted that he had leased the car for his wife.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years But of course, Kilpatrick is know best for a chain of events that may or may not have started at a party at the Manoogian Mansion. To this day, even the existence of the party is questionable, much less what happened there.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years What we do know: At the same time, police investigating what had happened at the supposed party, were either demoted or fired. In 2003, a few months after the rumored party at the Manoogian Mansion, an exotic dancer named Tamara Greene was shot dead Two separate lawsuits were started.

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years What we do know: In the first lawsuit, Tamara Greene’s family sued the City of Detroit for her wrongful death. The second lawsuit was brought by the police who were fired. This was called the Whistle-blower trial. In the first lawsuit, Tamara Greene’s family sued the City of Detroit for her wrongful death. The second lawsuit was brought by the police who were fired. This was called the Whistle-blower trial. After a Jury found that Kilpatrick was guilty of firing the police officers, Kilpatrick vowed that he would appeal. However, after the lawyer for the police revealed that he had evidence that Kilpatrick had lied under oath, Kilpatrick authorized the city of Detroit to pay $8.4 Million to settle the Whistle-blower Lawsuit

1993 – 2008: The Archer and Kilpatrick Years What we do know: In the first lawsuit, Tamara Greene’s family sued the City of Detroit for her wrongful death. The second lawsuit was brought by the police who were fired. This was called the Whistle-blower trial. Eventually, the evidence that Kilpatrick had perjured himself was leaked to the Detroit Free Press. All hell breaks loose.