IMPLEMENTATION TOOLKIT: ADVOCACY

Advocacy involves MACC Development representing the rights and interests of neighborhood residents. It involves providing information to neighborhood residents about programs that could benefit them. It involves participating in the network of organizations that are doing work to make improvements within the neighborhood. It involves listening to the community to help to be its voice when speaking with the City or other institutions. As part of the Mack Avenue Strong Neighborhoods Plan three areas of Advocacy were identified: Parks Programming, Vacant Land Management, and Neighborhood Development.

Parks Programming involves close involvement with the City of Detroit General Services/Parks Department and neighborhood groups to bring neighborhood-supported events to Pingree and Seyburn Parks. Potential partnerships include sports leagues, like Detroit PAL, arts and cultural organizations, like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, or market operators, like Genesis Hope or Eastern Market Corporation.

Vacant Land Management advocacy involves creating a direct voice from the community to the City of Detroit/Detroit Land Bank Authority to address vacant land issues. MACC Development, working closely with the community, should maintain an on-going list of vacant and dangerous buildings within the neighborhood to be included as part of the city’s demolition pipeline. Additional MACC Development should work to make residents aware of the Detroit Land Bank Side Lot Sale program. Efforts should be made to reduce barriers to side lot ownership including cost and land transfer process.

Neighborhood Development advocacy involves identifying key future development projects within the neighborhood and working with developers to represent the interests of the community are heard as development proceeds. Successful partnership will facilitate and expedite development while ensuring residents also benefit from the project.