Kresge

City leaders said it was the Kresge camp that botched the process and sowed distrust with flubs such as calling 7 Mile Road, a major city artery, "7th Mile Road."

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

The latest flare-up between Mr. Rapson and Mr. Bing came this month over the $500 million Woodward Avenue rail line, for which Kresge has pledged $35 million.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

Mr. Rapson's biggest complaint was the city's cold-shoulder treatment of Toni Griffin, a well-regarded urban planner from Harvard whom Kresge had recruited to help guide Detroit Works.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

After six years at the McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis, he arrived five years ago at the Kresge Foundation, established by the founder of the Kmart retail chain.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

The tug of war between Kresge and the Bing administration raises serious questions for Detroit about whether City Hall and foundations can work as partners in saving the shrinking city from collapse.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

Kresge is not doing this in a vacuum by themselves.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

Kresge also put up $35 million to spark development of "M1," a light-rail transit line down Woodward Avenue, the spine of the city.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

"Everyone talks about Kresge, Kresge, Kresge," the mayor said in an interview.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

Mr. Rapson dived head-first into city politics last year when Kresge agreed to fund Detroit Works, Mr. Bing's signature campaign to consolidate the city's shrinking population into healthy neighborhoods and re-purpose vast tracts of vacant land.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011

Mr. Rapson says Mr. Bing looked at the original diagram and bristled at its emphasis on Kresge.

Revival Bid Pits Detroit vs. Donor Matthew Dolan 2011