But Archer, who will deliver his third annual address, will not gloss over the challenges ahead, Anthony Neely told The Detroit News yesterday.
"And he wants to talk about how we produced the momentum that exists in the city today, and what's needed to improve the process of making Detroit a greater city," Neely said. "That would include increasing private investments, making our neighborhoods more attractive and improving city services."
Detroit political analyst Mario Morrow predicted Archer also will ask for more volunteerism to bring economic and social harmony to the city.
But Morrow and other analysts agree that Archer has much to boast about his record in 1996.
Last year's accomplishments include deals for new Tigers and Lions stadiums, $80 million in development around Orchestra Hall and the General Motors Corp. purchase of the Renaissance Center as its new headquarters. Others include the announcement of a Hard Rock Cafe, state-designated renaissance zones and the possibility of a Detroit Government Center in the GM building.
Michigan voters authorized three downtown casinos. Developers plan subdivisions, condominiums and town houses around the city.
Some residents would rather Archer spend more effort on making the city livable by improving trash pickup and police service.
Peter Koester, a 38-year-old resident, said city services are deplorable.
"If you ever try to deal with the city, it's a nightmare. I have been trying to get a city of Detroit income tax form mailed to me for three months. I have no street lights, and I waited for nine hours for the police to respond to gunfire in my neighborhood," he said.
"They're spending too much time trying to please the Ilitches, the Forbes and the Fords of the world, and I'm going unnoticed," Koester said.