For the first time since he won the role 12 years ago, Mayor Mike Duggan will not be on the ballot for Detroit mayor.

The longtime Democrat, whose term expires at the end of this year, announced in December that he'll instead be campaigning (as an independent) for Michigan governor — opening up a competitive field of candidates vying to succeed him as mayor.

During his more than 10 years as mayor of Detroit, Duggan prioritized ridding the city of blight, revitalizing parks and recreation centers, and decreasing crime with the help of initiatives like community violence intervention (CVI) programs. 

Now, with nine people running to replace Duggan, what should they prioritize?

Anika Goss is the chief executive officer of Detroit Future City, a local think tank and policy advocate organization. In a new report, the organization is encouraging the city's next mayor to focus on creating more middle class neighborhoods, generating more wealth opportunities for residents, and establishing a climate-resilient city. 

Goss joined The Metro on Thursday to discuss the report and the importance of this pivotal moment for the city.

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