Howes: Saint Sergio Is Rocking Detroit

Because he is shunning the so-called wisdom of the past, Sergio Marchionne is making a difference in Detroit, writes Daniel Howes of the Detroit News. 

Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA, joined downtown's Resuscitator-in-Chief, Dan Gilbert, to re-christen the Dime Building "Chrysler House." The automaker will occupy the top floors, starting this summer.

Marchionne also announced Chrysler would be a $3 million sponsor for the planned light-rail line down Woodward Avenue.

Howes writes that Marchionne must not have gotten the memo that says Detroit is not a good place for investment; that employees don't want to work downtown and any revival effort is bound to fail. 

"No, he didn't get the memo. It's the one that says a well-run, profitable company wouldn't open an outpost in Detroit because the schools aren't all fixed, the streets aren't all safe, the neighborhoods aren't all teeming and the city's leadership will never — never — come to terms with its fundamental fiscal reckoning."