Detroit wants to make citizens 'believers'

DETROIT, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has launched an "I'm a Believer" campaign to uplift the city.

"We're coming back," Bing told the Detroit Free Press Tuesday when asked why people should believe in the city. "We will be the city everyone wanted to be."

Newly elected Macomb County, Mich., Executive Mark Hackel said the suburbs support the drive.

"The suburbs developed from the city of Detroit," he said. "Their success is our success. The issues they are facing, we are facing."

The campaign, with its own theme song, began with a volunteer effort led by two local media specialists.

It is costing the city nothing, the report said. The $10-million expense, all raised from donations, reflects what professionals would have been paid to design the campaign, create its ads and a Web site, and buy advertising time and space.

"I'm a Believer" will feature 40 billboards and a radio, TV and print ads with local leaders, entertainers and celebrities.

The ads direct people to a Web site where they will find opportunities to help improve the city.