Detroit's plan for 'African Town' stirs racial tensions - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - October 08, 2004
The Detroit City Council, in defiance of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, likely will move forward with plans to create an "African Town" in the tradition of Chinatowns and Little Italys nationwide, even though the issue has turned into a racially divisive economic-development proposal.
In July, the council resolved to build up a section of the city devoted to African and black American literature, cuisine and art, which Mr. Kilpatrick endorsed. He vetoed the resolution, however, when it became clear that the council's plan would allow only black businessmen and investors to use the $38 million earmarked for the project. Mr. Kilpatrick argued that the resolution is both racist and unconstitutional.
"It's not the African Town proposal. We like the idea," said Howard Hughey, spokesman for Mr. Kilpatrick. "But ,strong.what they are proposing is to create a publicly funded private entity and give one man $40 million to use and distribute to investors, and it is unconstitutional to do that based on race and [the resolution] says very clearly that it would be."
The nine-member council — which has two white members — voted 7-2 to override Mr. Kilpatrick's veto and passed the resolution. In addition, they resolved that Detroit is a "majority-minority" city that is underserved.
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So here is another version of the private-public partnership idea that has been used by many cities for urban revitalization. As the article notes, there's nothing unusual about an ethnic theme, but a constitutional issue under the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause presents itself regarding distribution of money on the basis of race. Can they limit receipt of $40 million to African-Americans only? Sounds like a problem. Even the local African-American Chamber of Commerce says it's unconstitutional, according to the article. Yet the city council votes for it.