Luckily, we know what don't works. That's doing nothing to stop displacement....which actually ends up encouraging it. Brooklyn is a perfect local example of what not to do from that perspective.
We also know that areas that have slowed it down, have done things proactively to protect themselves. So I do love that the Eastside has got really proactive to implement policies, strategies and investments that have to intent to allow the community members to prosper in place, protect the built environment and have real opportunities to eat at the economic development table too. Vantage Point Coffee Company, a new Black-owned coffee roaster and coffeehouse going into the Union Terminal Warehouse project, is a great example.
Even the Ford plant demolition is an opportunity, assuming it ends up with a historical community employment generator like a shipyard or a maritime related industry that creates better paying jobs than low paying service jobs. A couple hundred decent paying jobs there will be better for that particular neighborhood than a soccer stadium. Same likely goes for Southeast Toyota. If they're leaving, I imagine Jaxport or a private shipping terminal operator will jump on that site.
Eastside is setting up to be a good local case study. It's exciting to see and witness.
