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The campaign season is in full
swing. Yet, neither the Bernie/Hillary tap dance around
questions of racial blind spots (Flint debate) or the
“non-politically correct” xenophobic rhetoric of Donald
Trump, represent the only politics with racial under or
overtones. Or, at least, with possible racial ramifications.
Recently, both the City of
Toledo and the University of Toledo bailed on the proposed
I-475/U.S. 23 interchange at Dorr Street, a project they
previously pledged their support in collaboration with
Springfield Township, Lucas County and the Ohio Department
of Transportation.
Although the agreement
originated under the leadership of late Toledo Mayor D.
Michael Collins and former UT President Lloyd Jacobs, Toledo
City Council voted unanimously (11-0 with one member absent)
to participate in this joint revenue sharing project.
With the required investment
being very modest and a substantial portion of the total
funding coming from the State of Ohio, many political
insiders are mystified as to why the City and UT pulled out
of the deal.
Meanwhile, both are claiming
financial hardship as their reason for reneging on the
commitment as they each appear to be actively involved in
strengthening the Secor Road/Central Avenue retail cluster
where T.J. Maxx, Burlington, Whole Foods and others are
reportedly negotiating to occupy space.
That’s all good, but the
problem is that NO ONE IS TALKING.
Toledo was recently found to
be the fourth most “distressed” large city in the U.S. in
terms of basic community well-being, positioned behind only
Cleveland, Detroit and Newark, New Jersey.
Yet, one preliminary estimate
indicates that the new Dorr Street exchange project could
more than double the number of cars per day that travel to
and from downtown from 9,000 to almost 19,000 per day. That
number is in line with the activity threshold major
retailers look to make new investments in certain geographic
locations.
The exchange would also
benefit businesses and organizations in the Dorr/Reynolds
area, an area represented by Councilman Tyrone Riley and
where businesses like Ruby’s Kitchen or Braden United
Methodist Church and preschool are located.
The construction project
would provide construction jobs and benefit Local 500
workers and minority contractors who are members of the
African American Chamber of Commerce or of UT’s Minority
Business Assistance Center.
But no one is talking.
The Dorr Street exchange
would have a great impact on revitalizing the Dorr Street
area between downtown and the UT campus, an area that has
long suffered from decades of benign neglect and
disinvestment. A large portion of this area lies in
Councilwoman Yvonne Harper’s district. But of course, I am
told, that no one from the mayor’s office is talking.
Despite the concentrated
poverty, underutilized labor and land along Dorr Street and
the negative job and population loss in Toledo, there has
been no visible public effort to address the problem. Here
lies a great opportunity, but no one is talking.
Embracing a broader vision:
The politics of today are,
rightly so, about inclusion - racial, ethnic, gender, or
sexual preference. Yet, for several decades, this city has
not been inclusive toward economic development, particularly
when it comes to the development and economic well-being of
the black community.
With stretches of Dorr Street
that lie within one mile in proximity to downtown, the
University of Toledo and the proposed exchange, this project
offers an opportunity to complement the development
currently taking place in those established areas.
More notably, the exchange
can be a catalyst in driving additional investment with the
potential to attract small businesses to employ the largely
minority residents of a depressed area and to address the
challenges of neglected Dorr Street neighborhoods.
So why did the City withdraw
from a commitment with such benefits?
I’ve asked that question over
and over as decisions continue to be made and development
moves forward in more privileged geographic areas. Much
speculation abounds.
However, no one is talking.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman,
D.Min, at drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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