LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Vice President Sherri F. Myers
SUBJECT:
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ANALYSIS OF GENTRIFICATION DUE TO URBAN REVITALIZATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council allocate up to $200,000 or an amount approved by City Council, to hire a consultant to perform an analysis of the impact of urban revitalization in the CRA urban core on the African American population in the city limits and that the consultant provide Council with recommendations to mitigate the dislocation, displacement, economic loss of affordable housing, and community resources in historically African American and low income communities. Further, the City Council direct the Council Executive to partner with the Community Redevelopment Agency staff in developing an RFP for engaging said consultant.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
For the past 30 years the African American population has been decreasing due to revitalization of the City’s urban core CRA. Beginning with the whole sale removal and relocation of residents of Aragon Court, the African American population continues to decline. Historically African American neighborhoods are disappearing and being replaced by predominately white, wealthy populations. In the last several years there has been a dramatic increase in housing built in what has been traditionally African American communities. The building frenzy to build more and more housing that is out of reach of many low income minorities will escalate the exodus of African Americans from the CRA urban core and west side CRA districts. All over the country communities are rising up against the unbridled gentrification of minority and low income neighborhoods. Many communities are now adopting ordinances aimed at finding ways to stabilize inner city minority communities, rather than replace and dislocating communities. In our rush to “build Pensacola” many low income neighborhoods and individuals are being left in the dust.
The hiring of a consultant to study the potential impacts, both bad and good, on low income minority neighborhoods, will provide the City Council with a road map and strategic plan to engage and empower low income and minority neighborhoods and individuals to live, work, and thrive in the communities that belong to them and that they call home.
Source of funding to be determined.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
Budget: 0
Actual: Up to $ 200,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Up to $200,000 for consultant
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Demographic for CRA urban core population from 2000
2) Partners for Economic Solutions (PES) Housing Needs Assessment Draft Scope of Work
PRESENTATION: No