A Vision for Fairfield East
So, way back on my second blog post here, “To Gentrify or not to Gentrify? A Huntington, West Virginia story,” I discussed the plan that currently exists for the soon to be former Northcott Court public housing project and the neighborhood of Fairfield East in general (currently being re-zoned), and yes there is a plan, of which more details are here in the Herald Dispatch.
And sure, Brandee McCoy and others seem like good people (and I love that new units will be energy efficient, as utility bills are a big problem for average West Virginians) and I hold hope that this plan for a primarily working class community of color will not just be a gentrification project to bring in new people at the expense of the old. But, what about a more grand and broad vision and plan? Can we not aspire for something more for our cities, and for my city, regardless of where I live? Sure, their plan is real, on the ground nuts and bolts, but what else could we dream for, really? This is the importance of a vision that I hope to lay out a brief sketch of, something to take pieces from to make a more just, equitable and sustainable Huntington, West Virginia. And inspirational projects do exist, just look at the amazing West Edge factory project that is coming together. This is something that brings out the best of a tight knit and creative community. Real action but ambitious and innovative action.
So, here goes…
A Community Land Trust, where the new housing units built are not only owned by the new residents (at the same rent/payment as they previously paid and a right of return for all previous residents of Northcott!), helping them to build needed equity, but are also kept permanently affordable for the present and all future generations. This also means a direct one to one replacement of all units currently being torn down. And no, this is currently not happening and is a problem that will lead to displacement and the break up of community. This community must be kept whole and Section 8 vouchers are decidedly NOT the answer.
So, not only should these new units be structure as a CLT, but could and should be built in a sustainable way also. Why not a job training program for local residents in construction to build these units? A partnership with organized labor, maybe the Affiliated Construction Trades? A partnership that involves a local hiring as part of a Community Benefits Agreement. Why not a prevailing wage (currently under attack by WV republicans) for these local residents so that this is meaningful employment that helps lift people up to build even more equity. Why not help them create a local construction company after this, structured as a worker owned enterprise? Sure, I’ve heard the plans for a cooperative grocery store, which is fantastic, but what if it was built by a cooperative as well? The new wealth of local residents would help better sustain the store, and in turn the wealth from the store and its cooperatives members will help sustain other local business and housing ventures.
Beyond this, there are even more economic opportunities. Taking another page from the West Edge factory, there are ample opportunities for reuse and repurposing from the rubble of the Northcott Housing projects. These materials can be used to build new things as well to be sold by residents. You don’t have to look too far to see other examples in the region that do similar work, such as ReUse Industries in Athens, Ohio.
To also build permanently affordable commercial and retail space that builds wealth for neighbors in Fairfield East, and simultaneously builds local democracy via participatory structures, we can also implement new ideas. Real Estate Investment Cooperatives, recently pioneered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are an interesting potential tool. New commercial space could be owned by members of the local community, business incubators for others in the neighborhood could be created. I see partnerships with great community organizations in Huntington already doing this type of work, like Unlimited Futures. Maybe a worker owned cooperatives, or consumer/community owned cooperative grocery store could also be housed in REIC space, on Community Land Trust owned land? See how this could all fit together, in a best case scenario! What if the Wild Ramp helped spin off this grocery, and it could be stocked with local food, perhaps some even grown in the neighborhood on vacant land reclaimed for gardens? The potential for a project like this is endless. It just depends on the effort and political will of those involved and engaged, which could be anyone, if they want to be.
Huntington, West Virginia has longed for a healthy dose of the solidarity economy, not that some hasn’t already come it’s way but it needs to be scaled up. Strategies are needed as well to ensure that Fairfield East residents are not displaced. The failure of traditional economic development strategies to meet these goals then calls for something more grand, some bigger. Just, equitable and sustainable development that is community driven.
That is, if the community wants to drive it. That is not up to me, that is up to all of us that are stakeholders in this community.