Public Comment: Invest in Residents, Not Buildings

315 East Kennedy Boulevard,Tampa FL 33602

18 March, 2021

Description

$100 Million investment---in government buildings with a return on investment of only 500 jobs. We need more than this in our communities. Three ways to engage. Select the ticket type that works best for you for instructions! (Through Eventbrite) 1. Arrive in person day of (In-Person) 2. Make a public comment live but digitally (Digital Live) 3. Make a pre-recorded public comment (Voicemail) Attached video is from our partners at Tampa Bay Activist Network/The People's Safety Coalition We worked last year to defund the police & refund the community. Could our voices have been heard? They are making a $100 M investment in East Tampa!!!!!! But wait...there's a catch! A projected $100 Million is going into a "City Center", including moving the TPD headquarters to East Tampa. WHAT?! Houses still have tarps on them. Houselessness is increasing. There is no money for universal health care. Families are going without food/water. Businesses are shutting down. The alleged return on investment? A measly 500 jobs...(and how many will REALLY go to E. Tampa "How will this help the community? This would definitely push people out." On Thursday March 18 the City Council will be voting on the matter to begin over $6 MILLION in beginning the demolition for this City Center project. That is not what we meant when we said Refund the Community and we were clear: housing, health care, Black business support, a robust jobs program, an alternative CAHOOTS-like responder program, etc. This investment does not align with the survey we did last year, nor what the people at the East Tampa CRA have been asking for. 1. Perform this action put together. Embedded in this action is a video by City Council Watch produced by Meaggan! Please set aside time between now and March 18th to do this action! 2. SHARE the above action with your organization members, on all your social media, and text/email it to your friends and family. (Perhaps share it more than once) 3. Sign up for public comment on March 18th to speak your mind on this. 4. Ask your organizational members, friends, and family to sign up as well. You can learn more on our website: https://www.restorativejusticecoalition.com/call-to-action