This is a very interesting concept. And, as Bill McGraw points out in his Free Press column today, it's pretty much unprecedented.

Time's statement said:

“Beginning next month, Time Inc. will make a year-long editorial commitment to covering the city of Detroit and its surrounding areas using the unparalleled print, online and video resources of many of our titles and sites, including TIME, TIME.com, FORTUNE, FORTUNE.com, Sports Illustrated, SI.com, Money, CNNMoney.com, LIFE.com, Essence and Essence.com.”

Unfortunately, this kind of first-hand and up close look at Detroit isn't likely to result in too many flattering images of the city.  Then again, maybe digging in this deep will allow them to find some good news to report.  Either way, it should make for some interesting stories in the year ahead.