Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit

In 2013, Detroit found itself on the brink of disaster and filed for the largest Chapter 9 bankruptcy in United States history. But what seemed like a solution actually pitted passionate Motor City citizens against outside forces as the state attempted to sever pensions, reduce services, and even sell off fine art to cover their debts.How does a once-thriving metropolis, boasting one of the largest populations and highest median incomes in the country, slip more than $18 million in debt? GRADUALLY, THEN SUDDENLY: THE BANKRUPTCY OF DETROIT exposes the city’s painful journey to broke, along with the decision, handling, and aftermath of the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. As the city attempted to dig out of its insurmountable debt and create a plan to move forward, public services were already depleted. With next-to-no public safety, broken street lights, discontinued bus routes, and overwhelmed fire departments, it seemed Detroiters couldn’t stand to lose much more… until 20,000 pensions for former city employees and auto workers became the next line item to be slashed. Suspicious politics and competing PR campaigns locked residents in the cross-hairs, raising infuriating questions about who stands to pay the real price for decades of detrimental decisions by those in power. —A.B. GUEST(S) IN ATTENDANCE