Highlights
– Elevated community benefits policy consideration to the state, federal and bi-national level, which led to the inclusion of opener language in the US-Canada Crossing Agreement signed June 15, 2012 that compels a new bridge developer to demonstrate and provide community benefits.
– Engaged hundreds of residents and stakeholders in activities, including over 65 individual residents testified and met with representatives on community impacts in support of securing community benefits to address impacts of the NITC project; Recruited over 2,000 public comments with partners on the Presidential Permit; and Created broad-reaching partnerships (see partial listing below)
– Increase understanding in the community of environmental health and justice impacts and policies, and engaged coalition members on related issues, like pressing for inclusion of EJ issues in the Detroit Works Project, advocating for EJ protections in the permitting process for the wastewater treatment plant, and pressing for statewide and federal environmental protections
– Implemented a Community Trucks Survey with a partnering organization, stakeholder planning group, and dozens of volunteers; partnered with WDET in a week-long series on truck traffic and diesel emissions; and created two educational-advocacy videos on Truck Traffic and the wastewater plant.
– Inspired the formation of other community benefits organizations across the city and we are now collaborating to advance development practices that provide for quality of life
Organization & Engagement
– Over 1,000 members including residents, businesses, churches and other organizations
– Formed 7 years ago with a Community-elected board representing multiple stakeholders. We hold regular community meetings with 75-100 community representatives.
– Engaged the community in developing a list of community benefits goals to address impacts with the new bridge, and organized a response to the NITC Environmental Impact Statement, working with the University of Michigan Law School.
– Over 60 individual residents have traveled multiple times to speak for themselves with their representatives about the impacts to the Delray community and the need for support for remedies.
– Have held hundreds of meetings and tours on pollution impacts, and the bridge, for decision-makers and partners near and far, and presented to numerous audiences on air quality and environmental justice concerns, transportation and land use.
Policy Success
– “Community Benefits” language is included in the US-Canada Agreement of June, 15, 2012 for the New International Trade Crossing.
– Three unanimous City Council Resolutions passed supporting community benefits for the NITC, and currently council is preparing to discuss a Community Benefits Ordinance.
– Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill requiring community benefits with the NITC in 2010 (did not pass the senate)
– Established unified job training and access goals with the Metro-Detroit Building Trades
Resources leveraged
– Funding to support activities has been provided by major foundations, including: LISC, Kresge, Ford Foundation, Erb Foundation, and W. K. Kellogg Foundation, as well as receiving smaller grants to support special projects, including from the Council of State Governments, the Buck Dinner, Semester in Detroit, and Michigan Community Resources.
– $1.9-million grant awarded by MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) to build 26 new, energy efficient homes in the NITC project area
– $80,000 Housing development plan conducted by Capital Access, Inc., funded by MSHDA
– Newly selected by Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) to conduct a Strategic Framework process in 2014