When Orr filed for bankruptcy, Detroit’s debt then was estimated at $18bn, and its revenue streams were too small to keep up with basic city services.

Since then, the city has installed at least 10,000 new streetlights. It’s also going after absentee landlords — threatening to take and sell or demolish vacant houses that violate city codes. Eight houses awarded to the city’s Land Bank are being put up for auction. Belle Isle, the city’s most popular public park has been put under state control and received a much-needed cleaning.

“Things are being done now that weren’t being done,” said Detroit barber DeAngelo Smith. “I wouldn’t say it would have been as fast if the bankruptcy hadn’t been filed.”

Some of the most dramatic changes were designed to save the city money and didn’t need to wait for the August bankruptcy confirmation trial.