The new partnership is the result of a yearlong discussion between the boards of Detroit 300, Detroit Downtown Inc., Detroit Economic Growth Corp., Detroit Renaissance, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Greater Downtown Partnership and representatives Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

The new Downtown Detroit Partnership will begin as its counterparts did--with a campaign to establish a Business Improvement District, a self-taxing authority to help fund Downtown projects. A second priority of the DDP initiative will be to partner with the city to develop an economic development plan for Downtown. This project will begin with a public/private summit slated for early 2006.

Ann Lang, the former head of Detroit's New Center Council, has been named president & CEO of DDP. Lang most recently served as executive director of CEOs for Cities, a national organization of mayors, corporate executives, university presidents and nonprofit leaders formed to advance the economic competitiveness of cities.