Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Saunteel Jenkins

• It's still early in the race to replace three-term mayor Mike Duggan. The nonpartisan race has its primary in August and general election in November.

Flashback: Jenkins, who has degrees in social work, was the CEO of utility bill assistance nonprofit The Heat and Warmth Fund for about a decade until recently stepping down to focus on her run.

• Before that, she was on the city council from 2010-2014, and president from 2013-2014.
• She was also previously the residential treatment program director with shelter Mariners Inn.

Jenkins sat down with Axios Detroit to talk about policy goals, which she said are focused on increasing quality of life for residents of all ages.

• First is a holistic approach to childcare and education — "cradle to career and beyond," as she put it.
• Jenkins says the mayor and Detroit public schools superintendent should be meeting and partnering on projects more regularly.
• She wants to place an educational facility in each district to act as hubs providing community resources, childcare and education.
• They would be modeled around northwest's pre-K through post-secondary Marygrove campus, a partnership between philanthropy and educational institutions that has become a draw for families to move near it.
• Next, "making sure we have a comprehensive, reliable public transit system is important" to keep younger generations here, she says.
• She thinks it's finally time for Metro Detroit to successfully cooperate on regional transit improvements — using state and federal funding to think big, like potentially looking at a merger between Detroit's bus system and SMART.
• Jenkins says the QLine could be "transformational" if it extended further up Woodward Avenue, but "from Jefferson to West Grand Boulevard, it's not offering what we need for the majority of Detroit."
• On safety, she wants to increase community policing — that could include reopening mini-stations in neighborhoods to rebuild trust.
• When it comes to planning and development, Jenkins aims to solidify master plans for each district that create paths to easier zoning processes and build on ongoing urban planning work.

A major theme of the mayor's race is going to be big business and community — balancing the varied interests and needs of those affecting and affected by Detroit's evolving landscape post-bankruptcy. Jenkins said:

• "When you talk to Detroiters, nobody's against growth. The difference in whether or not they see it as growth or gentrification is whether or not they were involved."
• "We need business, there's no question. It should not be an either-or proposition. It should be good for everybody. What we're asking of businesses is responsible corporate citizenship … But also, if you're asking for taxpayer incentives … then the residents should get something in return."

The bottom line: Asked about a quality she brings to the table that makes her unique from the other candidates, Jenkins said:

• "Over a decade of experience as a CEO makes a huge difference when you are vying for a job as a CEO of a city. My dedication and lifelong commitment to service in this city … The role of the mayor is to serve Detroiters in a way that makes their quality of life better. So my life experiences, my professional experiences as a social worker, all put me in a position that is very different and uniquely qualifies me."