The model of corporate welfare with promises of benefits has failed Detroit. 

On November 8th Detroit voters will be presented with two proposals regarding community benefits agreements: Proposal A and Proposal B. We are voting Yes on A and No on B. Here's why:

Proposal A was brought to the ballot by a grassroots petition, signed by more than 5,000 Detroiters.  Proposal A was created by a coalition of community activists in consultation with lawyers, academics, City Council members, and representatives of the business community.  If passed, Proposal A would require developers receiving tax  dollars to work with community stakeholders to ensure benefits like environmental safety, affordable housing, and support for local businesses are part of their developments.   

Proposal B was created by Councilman Scott Benson with the support of the corporate  community. It was brought to the ballot in a last ditch effort to block Proposal A after their attempts to discredit the community’s petition drive failed. If passed, Proposal B would enshrine the status quo, allowing the City to continue subsidizing private development with public tax dollars with no guarantee of public benefit.  

As Detroit artists and arts organizations with deep stakes in the future of our communities and the City as a whole, we support Proposal A for the following reasons: 

Because we need new approaches to development. The model of unfettered corporate welfare with promises of trickle-down benefits has failed Detroit. Too often, our elected officials have also failed to negotiate real benefits for Detroiters. We need courageous new approaches to development that recognize the leadership and brilliance of Detroit community organizers.  

Because we know and trust our communities. Opponents of Proposal A have characterized our communities as ruled by “kingpins” who will hijack CBA processes. We reject this baseless stereotype. We have faith in the leadership of our neighbors, our longstanding community organizations, and ourselves to negotiate fairly and strategically for community benefits. We have seen countless examples of this leadership in the committees that have negotiated CBAs with Meijers, Whole Foods, Henry Ford Health Systems, the Ambassador Bridge expansion and more.  

Because a CBA can be a work of art. Detroit artists are infusing creativity and vision into neighborhood transformation all across the City. Artists and arts organizations are ready to bring their skills to bear on the process of developing agreements for community benefits that honor the full complexity of voices and perspectives in our neighborhoods. Artists can make participation in CBAs more accessible and exciting. They can play a role in expanding our imaginations for what kinds of benefits CBAs can provide-- like renewable energy infrastructure, neighborhood oral history portals, and community wireless networks.  

Because Detroit is valuable. Our culture, music, art, and ideas are globally renown. The people and neighborhoods that have given rise to that culture are being destroyed by the model of development that says “Detroit is a blank slate.” We reject any politician or developer that would portray our neighborhoods as “hell holes” or say that we should accept whatever development we can get. Detroiters deserve to benefit from development that is being subsidized by our tax dollars. 

For these reasons, we, the undersigned, encourage all Detroiters who believe in a vision of equitable, accountable development for our beloved city to vote Yes on Proposal A and No on Proposal B.  You must vote on both proposals for your vote to count.  

 AUTHORS:

AFROTOPIA
Allied Media Projects
Complex Movements
Light Box
Live Coal Gallery
Marsha Philpot / Music
Oakland Avenue Artists Coalition
Sidewalk Detroit
Soh Suzuki
The Aadizookaan

ENDORSERS:

Carlos Garcia
Sophia Softky
Elizabeth Luidens
Mike Medow
Gregg Newsom
Jordan Millwood
Ian Matchett
Sherrine Azab
Tyrone Clemons
morgan willis
Amanda Ewing
Yvette Rock
Gina Reichert
Samantha Magdaleno
Vince Carducci
Beatriz Lozano
Ben Alfaro
laura quatrocchi
Joshua Rock
Amy Feigley-lee
traci ricks
Halima Cassells
Ava Ansari
aoun jaber
Kelly O'Hara-Gardner
Josh Bisset
faina lerman
Harriette Brown
Malik Yakini
Sheila Palmer
Aisha Ellis
Leslie Frisch
Richard Lewis
Ryan Wright
annette gilson
Devita Davison
Prostell Thomas
Billy Mark
Linda Cassells
Angela Gallegos
Olayami559 Grand River Dabls
Lisa Hudak
Jessie Doan
stephen dewyer
Chrys Lewis
Wm. Chris King
Terry Blackhawk
Ajene Farrar
Chido Johnson
Brent Smith
Kelly Rickert
Cat Baumgartner
Chanell McCollum
Colin Tucker
S Utchenik
Ingrid LaFleur
Nicky Paradela
Paul Carr
Sherina Sharpe
Lindsey Anderson
Geraldine Grunow
Westley Lortz
Najah Scruse
Stefanie Cohen
Janel Yamashiro
Emily Staugaitis
Eric Halbeisen
Zartavia Howard
Kate Levy
Janie Tijerina
Sicily McRaven
Jason Friedes

+ 8 anonymous endorsers