Dave Bing

Bing was born November 24, 1943, in Washington, D.C., to mother Juanita, a housekeeper, and father Hasker, a bricklayer and deacon for the local Baptist church. He was the second child of four living in a two-bedroom, one-story house in the northeast part of town.Sharp, p. 15-18 In his childhood, Bing received the nickname "Duke" from his father, because, according to Bing, he always "wanted to be top dog." He suffered a traumatic eye injury at age five, when, while playing with an improvised hobby horse he constructed with two sticks nailed together; Bing tripped and accidentally poked his left eye with a rusty nail. The family could not afford emergency surgery, leaving the eye to heal on its own and diminishing his vision thereafter.Sharp, p. 19-21 Bing's father also suffered a severe head injury during the boy's childhood. While working a construction site, a brick fell four stories onto his head, causing a brain clot. The episode led young Bing to promise himself that he would never work in such a profession.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/bing_bio.html|title=NBA.com: Dave Bing Bio|work=National Basketball Association|access-date=December 12, 2012}}

In athletics, Bing played basketball, but older children often told him he was too small for the game. However, he played well, triumphing over such older and bigger children as future Motown musician Marvin Gaye, who, after not performing well on the court, chose to sing on the sidelines. Bing and Gaye forged a friendship, which continued later in life. Despite his basketball play, Bing, a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, focused primarily on baseball, the neighborhood's preferred game.Sharp, p. 21-23

Despite his fuzzy vision, he excelled in baseball at Spingarn High School, where he enrolled in 1958.{{cite web|url=http://www.jockbio.com/Classic/Bing/Dave_Bing_bio.html|title=Dave Bing Motor City Mayor|year=2009|work=JockBio|publisher=Black Book Partners|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-date=November 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125111015/http://www.jockbio.com/Classic/Bing/Dave_Bing_bio.html|url-status=dead}} Nevertheless, the school's head basketball coach William Roundtree encouraged him to revisit basketball. Roundtree became a fatherly figure to Bing, who decided to join the team. He developed into a double-digits per game scorer, noted for his jump shot and knack for driving to the basket. He continued also to compete in baseball into his senior year, but was forced to choose between it and basketball when a scheduling conflict between two tournaments arose. Though he felt he was better at baseball, Bing opted for basketball, believing it gave him a greater chance at a full-ride college scholarship,Sharp, p. 21-22 well aware of the path taken by Los Angeles Lakers forward Elgin Baylor, a Spingarn alum. At the tournament, Bing led his team to victory and earned MVP honors. All in all, in high school, Bing was a three-year letter winner, all–Inter High, all-Metro, and all-East member. In 1962, he was featured in Parade magazine and made the All-American Team.

Bing attended Syracuse University, where he was once roommates with Jim Boeheim.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090430/bing&redirected=true|title=OTL: 'No Place To Go But Up'|work=ESPN.com|access-date=October 5, 2014}} He wore a No. 22 jersey in college, as he had in high school, as a homage to Elgin Baylor, who he had watched play on a playground court in Washington, D.C. as a boy in 1957.{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=The Athletic NBA |date=2024-06-13 |title=NBA 75: At No. 23, Elgin Baylor used his strength and grace to create magic above the rim |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3070018/2022/01/19/nba-75-at-no-23-elgin-baylor-used-his-strength-and-grace-to-create-magic-above-the-rim/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He led the Orangemen in scoring as a sophomore (22.2) in 1964, as a junior (23.2) in 1965, and as a senior (28.4) in 1966. During his senior year, Bing was fifth in the nation in scoring and was Syracuse's first consensus All-American in 39 years. He was also named to The Sporting News All-America First Team and was named Syracuse Athlete of the Year.

In his three-year varsity career at Syracuse, Bing averaged 24.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, with 1883 total points and 786 total rebounds in 76 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bingda01.html|title=Dave Bing Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=February 17, 2019|archive-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910073352/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bingda01.html|url-status=dead}}

While attending Syracuse, he became acquainted with Joe Biden, who was as student in the law school. Biden would later serve as a U.S. senator, vice president, and president of the United States.{{cite web |last1=Cain |first1=Carol |title=Michigan Matters: Former Detroit Mayor and Pistons legend Dave Bing talks Joe Biden and the Motor City - CBS Detroit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-matters-former-detroit-mayor-and-pistons-legend-dave-bing-talks-joe-biden-and-the-motor-city |website=CBS News |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=21 February 2024}}

{{original research|section|date=January 2022}}

File:Dave bing pistons (cropped).JPG, {{circa}} 1975]]

Bing's playing style was somewhat unusual for the time. As a lean, athletic and explosive point guard, he functioned as the playmaker distributing the ball, but also did more shooting and scoring than most others who had this position. At one time a joke about him and his backcourt partner, Jimmy Walker, was that it was a shame they could only play the game with one ball at a time.

Bing was selected 2nd overall in the 1966 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, and wore the jersey number 21 because player-coach Dave DeBusschere already wore No. 22. Bing scored 1,601 points (20.0 points per game), and won the 1967 NBA Rookie of the Year Award while also being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The next year, he led the NBA in scoring with 2,142 points (27.1 points per game) in 1968.

On November 23, 1968, Bing recorded a triple-double of 39 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a 127–128 loss to the Baltimore Bullets.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196811230BAL.html|title=Detroit Pistons at Baltimore Bullets Box Score, November 23, 1968|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=October 31, 2019}}

Bing sat out 2½ months of the 1971–72 season due to a detached retina incurred from a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers, playing in only 45 games that season. While with the Pistons, he played in six NBA All-Star Games (1968, 1969, 1971, 1973–1975), and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1968 and 1971.

After leaving the Detroit Pistons, Bing went on to spend his next two seasons with the Washington Bullets, for whom he was named an NBA All-Star once more in 1976, this time winning the game's MVP Award.

He played his final season with the Boston Celtics, averaging 13.6 points. He then retired at the conclusion of the 1977–1978 season.

Overall, in his NBA career, Bing averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 901 games over 12 NBA seasons, scoring 18,327 points with 5,397 assists.

In 1992, Bing co-founded the National Basketball Retired Players Association.{{cite web |title=FAQs |publisher=National Basketball Retired Players Association |url=https://www.legendsofbasketball.com/who-we-are/faqs/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=17 January 2012}} {{As of|2024}}, he continues to serve on its board of directors.

At age 22 with an NBA contract worth $15,000, Bing was rebuffed by the National Bank of Detroit on getting a mortgage to finance a home. This led Bing to work at the bank during the offseason, holding jobs in the teller, customer relations, and mortgage departments.

Immediately after retiring, he worked at a warehouse of the steel processing company Paragon Steel and was paid $35,000. He left after two years, after stints in the company's shipping and sales operations.

In 1980, Bing opened Bing Steel with four employees in a rented warehouse from $250,000 in loans and $80,000 of his own money. Losing all his money in six months, the company shied away from manufacturing to focus on being a middleman. With General Motors as their first major client, the company turned a profit in its second year on revenues of $4.2 million. By 1984, Bing was awarded by President Ronald Reagan the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year. By 1985, Bing Steel had expanded to two plants with 63 employees posting revenues of $40 million. Company assets were sold off in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2009/11/bing_group_workers_say_the_com.html|title=Bing Group workers say company has been sold, they've been fired but can reapply|work=MLive.com|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2014}}

Bing Steel transformed itself to the Bing Group, a conglomerate with headquarters located in Detroit's North End. The company, among other things, supplies metal stampings to the automobile industry.

At the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, Bing received the Schick Achievement Award for his work after his NBA career.

Bing was an early political supporter of Kwame Kilpatrick. However, Bing was among the first Michigan business community leaders to urge the resignation of Kilpatrick from his office as mayor of Detroit when scandals emerged surrounding Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick resigned as mayor in September 2008.

Bing led Detroit's effort to receive the rights to host the 2004 Democratic National Convention.{{cite web |title=Detroit mayor to make personal bid for Democratic Convention |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Detroit-mayor-to-make-personal-bid-for-Democratic-7133014.php |website=CT Insider |access-date=September 10, 2023 |date=April 11, 2002}} In November 2002, Detroit lost to Boston. Detroit's weak spot was considered to be its smaller number of hotel rooms.{{cite web |last1=Belluck |first1=Pam |title=Democrats Select Boston for 2004 Convention |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/14/us/democrats-select-boston-for-2004-convention.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=September 10, 2023 |date=November 14, 2002}}

In January 2009, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Bing received the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award. The award honors King's legacy as a leader of the civil rights movement, by acknowledging athletes who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights and who helped establish a foundation for future leaders in athletic careers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/release_mlk_day_game_and_celebration-081222.html |title=Memphis Grizzlies to honor Julius Erving and Dave Bing as part of the Seventh Annual MLK Jr. Day Game and Celebration |work=National Basketball Association |date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=October 5, 2014}} The honor was to be presented during the half-time show of the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bing volunteered in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program.{{when|date=February 2022}}

File:At the groundbreaking for Detroit Manufacturing Systems (7844507406).jpg VP Tony Brown, Faurecia CEO Yann Delabrière, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Rush Trucking CEO Andra Rush, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Bing]]

On October 16, 2008, Bing announced that he would be a candidate for mayor of Detroit in the 2009 Detroit mayoral special election to finish the term of Kwame Kilpatrick, who had resigned as part of a plea bargain agreement after being charged with the crime of perjury. Bing finished first in a 15 candidate non-partisan primary on February 24, 2009. On May 5, 2009, Bing was elected with 52.3% of the vote, defeating interim mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr., who received 47.7%.{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4143798 | title=Bing wins Detroit mayoral election | date=May 5, 2009 | work=espn.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3969864|title=Detroit mayor candidate Dave Bing retracts claim of having MBA – ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=March 11, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2014}} Bing had only moved to a residence within city limits shortly before his campaign for mayor. Bing had previously resided in suburban Franklin, Michigan.{{cite magazine |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Michael |title=Having Fun Yet, Mr. Mayor? |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2010/01/18/having-fun-yet-mr-mayor |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en-us |date=January 18, 2010}}

Bing was reelected to a full term on November 3, 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/us/04detroit.html|title=Dave Bing Wins Election to Full Term as Detroit Mayor|last=Davey|first=Monica|date=November 3, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 12, 2012}} Bing's inauguration for his full term was held at the Fox Theatre.

In comparison to his predecessor Kwame Kilaptrick, Bing opted for a more low-key presence as mayor{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Anna |title=Dave Bing's Detroit |url=https://prospect.org/power/dave-bing-s-detroit/ |website=The American Prospect |access-date=September 24, 2023 |language=en-us |date=October 2, 2013}} and opted to forgo enjoying many of the benefits to which the mayor was entitled. Bing additionally forwent accepting salary as mayor during at least his first year as mayor. Bing did not shy away from making decisions that were unpopular.

File:Secretary Shaun Donovan in Detroit, Michigan, (where he met and held a press conference with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and other city leaders, and spoke at the Detroit Economic Club o - DPLA - 120ae7d37e2f708857e30dcfd95c4b66 (cropped1).jpg at the Detroit Economic Club in 2011]]

When Bing took office, the city was suffering significant economic trouble and its government was suffering major fiscal trouble.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Miss AJ |title=Reflections On Dave Bing's Tenure As Mayor Of Detroit |url=https://michiganchronicle.com/2013/12/04/reflections-on-dave-bing-s-tenure-as-mayor-of-detroit/?amp=1 |website=The Michigan Chronicle |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=December 4, 2013}} The city was suffering a $30 million budget deficit. The city also had overall accumulated $332 million in deficit, more than $15 million in long-term liabilities. The city government's fiscal troubles persisted under Bing, with Detroit suffering increased budget deficits during much of his tenure.{{cite web |last1=Davey |first1=Monica |title=Detroit's Mayor Says Budget Gap May Require Emergency Manager |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/us/mayor-dave-bing-says-detroit-may-need-emergency-manager.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=November 3, 2011}} However, by the time he left office, the city's deficit had decreased by $7 million from where it stood when he assumed office.

Due to the importance of the automotive industry to Detroit, Bing was involved in discussions related to the 2009 auto bailout. These discussions also included Vice President Joe Biden, who Bing had first known when they were students at Syracuse University.

In 2011, Bing proposed that the city's next budget include a $4 million decrease in funding for City Council staff, and fund new hires for the city's fire department.{{cite web |last1=AlHajal |first1=Khalil |title=Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to present budget with $4 million cut to City Council staff, 40 EMS hires |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2013/04/detroit_mayor_dave_bings_to_pr.html |website=mlive |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=April 12, 2013}} In mid-2011, Bing vetoed the budget passed by the City Council, claiming its cuts were excessive and could be to the detriment of the services of the city's police and fire departments. The City Council's budget made $50 million more in cuts than Bing's initial proposed budget had made.{{cite web |title=Bing Vetoes Detroit Council's Budget Plan - CBS Detroit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/bing-vetoes-detroit-councils-budget-plan/ |website=CBS News |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=June 1, 2011}} Bing's budget proposal was for $3.1 billion in spending.{{cite web |title=Bing: City council budget cuts will affect police, recreation |url=https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2011/06/13/bing-city-council-budget-cuts/32690307007/ |website=Monroe News |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=June 13, 2011}} The City Council overrode this veto in an 8–1 vote.{{cite web |last1=Wattrick |first1=Jeff T. |title=Detroit City Council overrides Bing's budget veto; Pugh says cuts shouldn't cause police/fire layoffs |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2011/06/breaking_city_council_votes_8-_2.html |website=mlive |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=June 7, 2011}} The city's 2012 budget made a 20% decrease to the city's fire department. This has been seen as having a detrimental effect on the city's ability to handle fires, including arson.{{cite web |last1=Islam |first1=Tamjid |title=The Vicious Cycle of Detroit's Burnt Houses |url=https://www.detroitwritingroom.com/2021-journalism-camp-stories/vicious-cycle-detroits-burnt-houses |website=The Detroit Writing Room |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=September 23, 2021}} In mid-2012, the fire department announced 164 layoffs.{{cite web |title=Detroit To Lay Off 164 Fire Fighters By August |url=https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/941/detroit_to_lay_off_164_fire_fighters_by_august |website=Deadline Detroit |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=June 25, 2012}} In 2013, Bing proposed a $1 billion budget, a $300 million decrease from the previous year's budget.{{cite web |last1=Chrisoff |first1=Chris |title=Detroit Mayor Dave Bing Proposes $1 Billion Municipal Budget |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-04-12/detroit-mayor-dave-bing-proposes-1-billion-municipal-budget-1-?embedded-checkout=true |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=April 12, 2013}}

By the time he was reelected to a full term, Bing had dismissed more than 400 city employees and had ended 16 out of 51 contracts that the city had with trade unions. Bing faced protests by unions during his mayoralty. By the end of his mayoralty, Bing had eliminated 1,000 positions in the city government, a 9% decrease to the municipal workforce. Additionally, many city employees faced decreased salaries, decreased benefits, and even furloughs. Bing also outsourced many roles of the city government. The city's public health department was replaced by the Institution for Population Health public-private partnership. The workforce-development department was replaced by Detroit Employment Solutions, a nonprofit organization. Management of payroll and benefits for city employees was also outsourced.

The city enjoyed new private development over the course of Bing's tenure. This included both the opening of new small businesses, an investment of $198 million by Chrysler in its Mack Avenue Engine Plant (which created 250 new jobs), and significant development in the city's downtown by businessman Dan Gilbert.

File:2011 Michigan Gubernatorial Inauguration 061 N (5313169573) (1).jpg]]

Bing proposed the idea of demolishing neighborhoods and decreasing city services.{{cite web |last1=Muller |first1=Joann |title=Detroit: City Of Hope |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2011/06/29/detroit-city-of-hope/ |website=Forbes |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=June 29, 2011}} Bing spoke of his intention to depopulate neighborhoods, including through forcible means such as eminent domain. This was controversial among city residents. Bing sought to incentivize residents to relocate from largely depopulated neighborhoods so that those neighborhoods could be demolished and the public services could be consolidated to more densely populated areas of the city.{{cite web |last1=Oosting |first1=Jonathan |title=Is Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's plan to relocate residents legal? Eminent domain attorney says it is constitutionally sound, necessary |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2010/02/is_detroit_mayor_dave_bings_pl.html |website=mlive |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=February 26, 2010}} Past mayors had made pledges to demolish abandoned homes but taken little action to do so.{{cite web |last1=Larson |first1=Jamie |title=Rebuilding Detroit: Demolishing abandon homes not the answer for many |url=https://pavementpieces.com/rebuilding-detroit-demolishing-abandon-homes-not-the-answer-for-many/ |website=Pavement Pieces |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=October 16, 2011}} Under Bing, the city took action to demolish abandoned homes, reporting in early 2013 to have demolished 6,700 since Bing took office. However, the city still had tens of thousands more abandoned homes.{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Gus |title=Detroit's encroaching blight as seen through Google and Bing maps |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2013/04/detroits_encroaching_blight_as.html |website=mlive |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=April 16, 2013}} Bing's program of demolishing abandoned homes was controversial with some city residents. Aiming to repopulate certain neighborhoods, in early 2011 Bing began a program to give $150,000 in grants to assist in renovations of foreclosed homes in select neighborhoods. Hoping to encourage members of the city's police force to reside within city limits, Bing only required police officers to place a mere $1,000 in order to acquire abandoned residences and be eligible for renovation grants.{{cite web |last1=Angelova |first1=Kamelia |title=Detroit Will PAY You To Take One Of These 100 Abandoned Homes |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/abandoned-houses-detroit-2011-2 |website=Business Insider |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=February 2011}}{{cite web |title=Detroit Mayor Offers Police Officers Homes for $1,000 |url=https://www.theroot.com/detroit-mayor-offers-police-officers-homes-for-1-000-1790862683 |website=The Root |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=February 9, 2011}}

Bing launched the Detroit Works Project (later renamed Detroit Future City), an effort to create a 50-year outline for the city's future. The project was intended to create a community-planned vision for how the city would manage its problems. The city government underestimated how many citizens would attend community meetings. Controversy arose during the process, when Bing publicized his intention to depopulate certain neighborhoods by forcibly relocating residents to denser neighborhoods. The public anger at this threatened the project.

Bing sought to fix the city's broken street lights, which were considered a serious problem.{{cite web |last1=Reindl |first1=J. C. |title=Why Detroit's lights went out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/17/detroit-finances-dark-streetlights/3622205/ |agency=Detroit Free Press |website=USA Today |access-date=September 24, 2023 |date=November 17, 2013}} In 2012, Bing persuaded the state legislature and governor to create the Public Lighting Authority of Detroit and dedicate utility and income tax revenue for the $185 million in bonds for this purpose. Bing appointed a lighting authority board, which then signed a contract with DTE Energy to repair the city's streetlights. However, the contract did not take place until early 2013, by which time Bing had left office. Bing's successor Mike Duggan built upon Bing's efforts to repair the city's streetlights to significant success. It has been noted that, due to Bing being out of office when the work was carried out, he has not received much public credit for it.{{cite web |last1=Ferretti |first1=Christine |title=Mike Duggan: Mayor instrumental to Detroit's turnaround |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/michiganians-of-year/2018/06/21/mayor-mike-duggan-michiganian-year-detroit-news-detroit-turnaround/672780002/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=December 13, 2020 |date=June 21, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Livengood |first1=Chad |title=Bing irked by Duggan getting credit for streetlight repairs |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180415/blog026/658156/bing-irked-by-duggan-getting-credit-for-streetlight-repairs |access-date=September 24, 2023 |date=April 15, 2018}}

During Bing's tenure, there was trouble within the Detroit Police Department. This included instability in leadership, with the city cycling through four different police chiefs during Bing's less-than-5-years in office. While he gave no explicit reason for the firing, it was speculated that Bing dismissed the first police chief of his mayoralty, Warren Evans, both due to the police raid that resulted in the killing of Aiyana Jones and due to Bing's dissatisfaction with Warren's pursuit of media exposure through participation in reality television shows such as The First 48.{{cite news |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/07/report_detroit_police_chief_ja.html |title=Report: Detroit Police Chief James Barren being fired |work=MLive.com |agency=Associated Press |date=July 4, 2009 |accessdate=August 6, 2014}}{{cite web |author=Foley |first=Aaron |date=July 22, 2010 |title=Photos of the day: Ex-Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans' love affairs with camera, co-workers |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/07/photos_of_the_day_ex-detroit_p.html |work=MLive |accessdate=August 7, 2014}} Even as crime in large cities was declining overall in the United States, Detroit saw its homicide rate rise to a 20-year high in 2012.

File:111010-N-SQ656-912 (30233066406).jpg (far left) and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (center left) at the 2011 naming ceremony for USS Detroit (LCS-7)]]

Early into his mayoralty, Bing began pursuing a renovation of Cobo Center, the city's main convention center.{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Dustin |title= bing say he's working to get Cobo Center expansion deal done |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090521/FREE/905219993/bing-says-he-s-working-to-get-cobo-center-expansion-deal-done |website=Crain's Detroit |access-date=September 24, 2023 |date=May 21, 2009}} Renovation occurred while Bing was mayor, taking place under the management of a new cooperative governing authority for the convention center.

Bing established the city's Active and Safe Campaign public-private partnership to raise funds for public safety initiatives, as well as raise funds for recreational programs and enhancements to the city's recreation facilities.{{cite web |title=Mayor Bing reappoints Alicia Minter as Recreation Department Director |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2012/12/13/mayor-bing-reappoints-alicia-minter-as-recreation-department-director/ |website=WDIV |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |date=December 13, 2012}}

Bing made an unpopular proposal to decrease city bus service on Sundays. This never came into fruition.

On March 1, 2013, Governor Rick Snyder announced that he would appoint an emergency manager for the city of Detroit due to the city's fiscal troubles, making Detroit the United States largest city's to be placed under emergency management.{{cite web |title=Dave Bing will not stand for second term as mayor of stricken Detroit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/14/dave-bing-second-term-mayor-detroit |website=The Guardian |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=May 14, 2013}} Bing had, in the years prior, warned that this was a possibility, and expressed his desire for the city to avert such a situation. The placement of the city under emergency management deprived Bing of much of his mayoral authority. Bing declared that while he opposed emergency management, he was willing to work collaboratively with the emergency manager that would be appointed.{{cite web |last1=Davey |first1=Monica |title=Michigan Naming Fiscal Manager to Help Detroit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/us/michigan-appoints-emergency-manager-for-detroit.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=March 1, 2013}} Kevyn Orr was soon after appointed to the emergency manager role.{{cite web |last1=Davey |first1=Monica |title=Bankruptcy Lawyer Is Named to Manage an Ailing Detroit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/us/gov-rick-snyder-kevyn-orr-emergency-manager-detroit.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=March 14, 2013}} Many in the city criticized Bing for not being more resistant to emergency management.

In July 2013, before Bing left office, Detroit became the largest city in United States history to declare municipal bankruptcy.{{cite news |title= In Despair, Detroit Files for Bankruptcy |date= July 19, 2013 |agency= Associated Press |newspaper= The Express |location= Washington, D.C. |page= 3 |access-date= July 19, 2013 |url= https://issuu.com/expressnightout/docs/express_07192013 |last= Williams |first= Corey}} This was the decision of emergency manager Kevin Orr.{{cite web |last1=Coleman |first1=Ken |title=On this day in 2013: The city of Detroit files for bankruptcy ⋆ Michigan Advance |url=https://michiganadvance.com/2023/07/18/on-this-day-in-2013-the-city-of-detroit-files-for-bankruptcy/ |website=Michigan Advance |access-date=September 23, 2023 |date=July 18, 2023}} Many criticized Bing for not doing more to fight this move by Orr.

In addition to losing authority to the emergency manager, Bing suffered numerous health problems,{{cite web|title=Dr. Frank McGeorge explains Detroit mayor Dave Bing's health problems|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Dr-Frank-McGeorge-explains-Detroit-mayor-Dave-Bing-s-health-problems/-/1719418/10280852/-/l4jv70/-/index.html|publisher=ClickOn Detroit|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=December 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224229/http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Dr-Frank-McGeorge-explains-Detroit-mayor-Dave-Bing-s-health-problems/-/1719418/10280852/-/l4jv70/-/index.html|url-status=dead}} and had seen approval ratings as low as 14%.{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Marlon|title=Poll: Detroiters unhappy with city services and those in charge|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130923/NEWS01/309230179/job-approval-detroit-bankrupt-poll|publisher=Detroit Free Press|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130529/http://www.freep.com/article/20130923/NEWS01/309230179/job-approval-detroit-bankrupt-poll|url-status=dead}} Bing announced on May 14, 2013, he would not run for reelection to another term in the election to be held later that year.{{cite web|title=Big Won't Seek Re-Election as Detroit Mayor|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bing-wont-seek-re-election-detroit-mayor|publisher=AP|access-date=May 15, 2013|archive-date=June 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625161949/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bing-wont-seek-re-election-detroit-mayor|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Bing launched the Bing Youth Initiative, a nonprofit with a mission focused on providing academic support as well as behavior and social wellness services to underprivileged young African American men in Detroit.{{cite web |title=‘A Surrogate Father’: Dave Bing’s nonprofit encapsulates Ring of Honor induction |url=https://dailyorange.com/2024/01/dave-bings-nonprofit-encapsulates-ring-of-honor-induction |website=The Daily Orange |access-date=8 May 2025 |last= Bambini |first=Cole |date=28 January 2024}}

In August 2023, Bing endorsed Elissa Slotkin's candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan.{{cite web |last1=Coleman |first1=Ken |title=Former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing endorses Slotkin for U.S. Senate in 2024 • Michigan Advance |url=https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/former-detroit-mayor-dave-bing-endorses-slotkin-for-u-s-senate-in-2024 |website=Michigan Advance |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=August 14, 2023}}

Bing is the godfather of Jalen Rose.{{cite web|url=https://www.slamonline.com/nba/jalen-rose-interview/|title=Q+A: JALEN ROSE|publisher=Slam Online|date=August 7, 2014|accessdate=May 23, 2021}} In 2020, Bing published his autobiography titled 'Attacking the Rim'.{{cite news |last1=Stitt |first1=Chanel |title=New book 'Attacking the Rim' details Dave Bing's triumph over obstacles |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2020/11/13/dave-bing-attacking-the-rim/6070306002/ |access-date=February 20, 2022 |work=Detroit Free Press}}{{cite book |last1=Bing |first1=Dave |title=Dave Bing: Attacking the Rim |date=November 2020 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago, Illinois |isbn=9781629378473 |url=https://www.triumphbooks.com/dave-bing--attacking-the-rim-products-9781629378473.php |access-date=February 20, 2022}}

• J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1977)
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (inducted in 1990)
• Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
• College Basketball Hall of Fame (inducted in 2006)
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)
• Syracuse Orange Ring of Honor (added in 2024)

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{Election box begin no party|title=2009 Detroit mayoral special primary election results{{cite web |title=City of Detroit, Wayne County, February 24, 2009 Special Election |url=http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/Feb_24_09_Official_Results/Complete%20Summary%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224045923/http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/Feb_24_09_Official_Results/Complete%20Summary%20Report.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-24 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Summary Report City of Detroit - Elections August 4, 2009 Primary Election |url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2018-05/official_summary_total_report_08-04-09.pdf |website=City of Detroit |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=August 12, 2009}}}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Dave Bing

|votes = 26,337

|percentage = 28.82

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Ken Cockrel, Jr. (incumbent)

|votes = 24,677

|percentage = 27.00

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Freman Hendrix

|votes = 21,208

|percentage = 23.21

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Warren Evans

|votes = 9,193

|percentage = 10.06

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Coleman Young II

|votes = 3,744

|percentage = 4.10

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Sharon McPhail

|votes = 2,565

|percentage = 2.81

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Nicholas Hood III

|votes = 2,077

|percentage = 2.27

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Jerroll Sanders

|votes = 336

|percentage = 0.37

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = D. Etta Wilcoxon

|votes = 309

|percentage = 0.34

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Brenda Sanders

|votes = 199

|percentage = 0.22

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Donald Bradley

|votes = 157

|percentage = 0.17

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Duane Montgomery

|votes = 152

|percentage = 0.17

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Write-In

|votes = 136

|percentage = 0.15

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Stanley Michael Christmas

|votes = 103

|percentage = 0.11

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Joseph Holt

|votes = 101

|percentage = 0.11

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Frances Culver

|votes = 87

|percentage = 0.10

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party|title=2009 Detroit mayoral special election[http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/2009vote/default.aspx Channel 7 Action News]}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Dave Bing

|votes = 49,054

|percentage = 52%

|change = +23%

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Ken Cockrel, Jr. (incumbent)

|votes = 44,770

|percentage = 48%

|change = +22%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party|title=2009 Detroit mayoral primary election{{cite web |title=City of Detroit Elections - Primary Election August 4, 2009 |url=http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/August_2009_Results/August%202009%20Election%20Results%20w%20Summary.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224045954/http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/August_2009_Results/August%202009%20Election%20Results%20w%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Dave Bing (incumbent)

|votes = 68,623

|percentage = 73.90

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Tom Barrow

|votes = 10,302

|percentage = 11.09

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Jerroll Sanders

|votes = 9,322

|percentage = 10.04

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Duane Montgomery

|votes = 1,911

|percentage = 2.06

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Dartagnan M. Collier

|votes = 1,265

|percentage = 1.36

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Bob Allman

|votes = 873

|percentage = 0.94

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Write-In

|votes = 566

|percentage = 0.61

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party|title=2009 Detroit mayoral election[http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/Nov_03_09_Unofficial/November2009UnofficialResults.PDF City of Detroit, Michigan General Election, November 3, 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224050044/http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Portals/0/docs/elections/results/Nov_03_09_Unofficial/November2009UnofficialResults.PDF |date=February 24, 2012 }}, Department of Election, accessed November 12, 2009}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Dave Bing (incumbent)

|votes = 70,060

|percentage = 56%

|change = -18%

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Tom Barrow

|votes = 50,757

|percentage = 41%

|change = +30%

}}

{{Election box candidate no party

|candidate = Write-In

|votes = 3,849

|percentage = 3%

|change = +3%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|1=30em}}

• {{cite book|last=Sharp|first=Drew|title=Dave Bing: A Life of Challenge|date=November 1, 2012|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=9781450423526|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/davebinglifeofch0000shar}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.city-journal.org/2010/20_4_urban-reform.html The Next Wave of Urban Reform, City Journal, Fall 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221050/http://www.city-journal.org/2010/20_4_urban-reform.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120907112823/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/david-dave-bing Basketball Hall of Fame]
• [http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/detroit-mayor-bing.html CityMayors profile]
• {{C-SPAN|9264466}}
• [https://anchor.fm/cuseconversations/episodes/Dave-Bing-66--H06-Attacking-the-Rim-in-Basketball-and-Life-emn1up Bing on 'Cuse Conversations Podcast in 2020]

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{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{succession box

| before = Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.

| title = Mayor of Detroit

| years = 2009–2013

| after = Mike Duggan

}}

{{s-end}}

{{DetroitMayors}}

{{1966 NBA draft}}

{{1966 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}

{{1990 Basketball HOF}}

{{Basketball Hall of Fame guards}}

{{NBA50}}

{{NBA Rookies of the Year}}

{{NBA All-Star Game MVP Award}}

{{J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award}}

{{NBA scoring leaders}}

{{Detroit Pistons}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bing, Dave}}

Category:1943 births

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