Is Detroit primed for an architectural renaissance?

Detroit's a little bit away from being on the verge of a renaissance in anything, however one blogger says that the city is primed for an architectural one.

Excerpt:

And yet I can't help but feel optimistic about these neighborhoods for a few reasons.  Number one has to be the election of David Bing to replace Kwame Kilpatrick as mayor.  The impression one gets from the recent Sports Illustrated profile of the former NBA player is that Bing is pragmatic and incapable of forgetting that his new title gives him as much responsibility as it does power.  He has only been mayor for a short time, but he already seems like the anti-Kilpatrick and being somewhat of a political outsider, also seems willing to ignore political pressure.

Another reason for optimism is simply a shift in mentality; years ago, the idea of demolishing vacant houses and ripping out unused streets/utilities would be viewed as an unforgivable waving of the white flag - that Detroit's best days were over, never to return.  But thanks to the efforts of a variety of local groups and entrepreneurs, residents and public officials are beginning to see the practical benefits of tearing down the worst-gone neighborhoods and tearing out old infrastructure.

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No one expects Detroit to change quickly.  But at least the progress made in its urban core suggests that the time will soon come when re-development will radiate outward to the neighborhoods that need it most.  It doesn't hurt that Detroit's historic preservation contingent is flexing its muscles - or that its creative class recognizes the transformative potential of small projects  - or that there are plenty of residents determined (and organized) to preserve their neighborhoods for the future - or that there are entrepreneurs (and backers) who fully intend to succeed in Detroit.

Read the entire article here.