New video explains why Detroit needs community benefits agreements

Why are community benefits agreements that have teeth important? Plenty of community groups and activists have pointed to Little Caesars Arena as an excellent example of why developers who accept public support should be required to sit down with community members and negotiate with them.

We've covered CBAs before. But as much value as we put on our 4,500-word cover story on the issue, we realize that boiling the issue down to a four-minute video is probably going to reach a lot more people.

Enter the new YouTube short posted today at the Black Bottom Archives. It's a tight, short video featuring our old pal poet and activist Kim Hunter, and it helps explain why deep-pocketed developers who use city funds to expand their private, for-profit business enterprises should work with their new neighbors to court their approval with a legally binding agreement. The video also comes with a statement from the Equitable Detroit Coalition, noting that it's an election year, which provides an opportunity for voters to make their voices heard on the issue.