The recent economic collapse driven by property development practices provides an opportunity to debate the model that best creates a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable community. Alternative local and national voices and models are coming forward in the wake of Russell rejecting Tacoma ’s $148M tax breaks, high unemployment, and government subsidized luxury homes foreclosed and empty. Now the voice of the old model has reacted with fevered pitch.

This Town Hall forum will feature Leonardo Vilchis of Union de Vecinos and Right to the City who will share the growing national movement for Responsible Development and Smart Growth. In addition to national trends, a panel of Pierce County community leaders will share recent successes and challenges pursuing Responsible Development campaigns that faced tensions between Big Box sprawl, luxury condos, government spending priorities, workforce housing, and livable jobs. A panel of Tacoma City Council candidates will also be asked to reflect on these alternative models and local experiences.

The current City Council appears more open to changing policy and will soon be changing composition. The race to-the-bottom on corporate subsidies without community benefits has only forced other cities into this broken model. Unfortunately, it also appears that the property industry still wants taxpayer investment in luxury development while dismissing good jobs and housing that sustain our community. Yet to emerge are the million-dollar condo buyers and luxury hotel clients amidst a low-wage and housing-poor community. Something has to give. Better growth models are working in other cities just like Tacoma .