Jeep Plant Isn't Getting a Warm Reception From Detroit Residents

Fiat Chrysler’s plan for a new Jeep plant in Detroit is off to a rocky start.

1 minute read

March 23, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Detroit Skyline

Darren Brode / Shutterstock

Representatives from Fiat Chrysler and the city held the first public meeting related to a proposed Jeep plant that would bring billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs to Detroit. The meeting was part of the city's Community Benefit Ordinance, reports John Gallagher:

The ordinance requires that any major project must negotiate a package of benefits with the surrounding neighbors before City Council signs off on it. Typical benefits paid by the developer would include money for schools and recreation centers, limits on truck traffic and pollution, and other good stuff.

Gallagher says it was a "sometimes raucous meeting," with residents raising a host of concerns about the role of the neighborhood advisory committee, employment opportunities for neighborhood residents, and heavy truck traffic in the area. "Given the long history of corporations either abandoning Detroit or steamrolling residents with new projects like the General Motors Hamtramck Assembly plant in the 1980s, the skepticism was entirely reasonable."

New York's experience with Amazon—and a planning process that lacked transparency and community involvement—offers important lessons for Detroit, adds Gallagher. "Even projects that sound wonderful when announced carry burdens for the local host community. And the voices of the local community are too often ignored as the deals are being negotiated in secret."

Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Detroit Free Press

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.