I think we'll fill it up.

You could argue that an N.F.L. team is less important now. But I'd like to think it would still be an asset, that it's still a positive for an up-and-coming city.

Americans are a can-do people, an enthusiastic people, a problem-solving people. And when given a direction and given a plan, they'll sign on.

If that can be done in Detroit, it can be done in a lot of American cities.

That's why we have to run faster than the pack in order to close the gap and get ahead -- or be relegated to this (lower-tier) category indefinitely, ... If what we want to do is build the future, create better jobs, raise incomes and create opportunities for our children, staying in the lower category is not good enough.

I don't think we have any time to waste.