Globeville Elyria and Swansea Rising:
The Fight for The People’s Vision
Our documentary about neighborhood displacement
Key Definitions
Community Investment Fund
A Community Investment Fund is an investment pool where capital is sourced from individuals and institutions connected to the community and then reinvested back into local businesses, projects, and development initiatives within that same community, aiming to generate positive social impact for the area. It allows people to invest directly in their local economy to foster growth and improve quality of life.
Key points about community investment funds:
Local focus - the funds are primarily invested in projects and businesses within the community where the investors reside.
Social impact - community investment funds prioritize positive social outcomes like affordable housing, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
Accessibility - these funds are often designed to be accessible to a broad range of investors, including those who may not have significant capital, allowing them to participate in community development.
How does it build community control?
Direct ownership and decision-making power over how funds are used
Promoting economic development and community self-determination, meaning community members have a significant say in how their neighborhood is shaped and improved, rather than relying solely on external entities.
Eminent domain
Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, even without the owner's consent. The government must provide "just compensation" to the property owner. “Just compensation” in these cases is depressed property values and in most cases did not cover the cost of a comparable home a comparable distance from the city center.
How does it DECREASE community control?
Loss of Local Decision-Making
Displacement of Residents and Businesses
Imposition of External Priorities
Gentrification and Inequality
Scenario Planning
Scenario Planning is like a city and its residents playing a “What If?” game to decide how to use public land. Imagine sitting around a table with a big map, brainstorming ideas like: “What if we turn this empty lot into a park?” or *“What if we build affordable homes here instead of a parking garage?” Together, they dream up different futures and pick the best path.
How does it build community control?
Teamwork: Residents share their needs (like playgrounds, gardens, or bus stops) while the city explains rules and budgets.
Choices, not orders: Instead of one plan, they create *multiple options* and talk about trade-offs. For example: “If we add a library here, can we still fit a soccer field?”
Voting with ideas: People might vote on priorities or mix ideas together (like a park *with* space for food trucks).
Future-proofing: They plan for surprises, like climate change or population growth, so the land stays useful for everyone.
It’s like a group project where *everyone’s voice* helps decide what’s fair and smart for the whole neighborhood!
Community Land Trust
Community Land Trust (CLT) is like a team that owns land together to help make sure everyone in the neighborhood can afford to live there. Imagine if a group of people bought a big piece of land and said, “We’ll take care of this land forever, so families can live here without worrying about rents or prices going too high.”
How it works:
The CLT owns the *ground*, but people can buy or rent the *houses* on that ground. When someone buys a home in the CLT, they agree to sell it later at a fair price so another family can afford it too. This keeps homes cheaper over time, even if the area gets more popular.
How does it build community control?
The CLT is run by people who live in the neighborhood, local leaders, and experts. Together, they make decisions about the land—like what homes to build, how to keep them affordable, or adding parks or gardens. This way, the community gets to choose what’s best for everyone, not just a few people. It’s like a shared promise to look out for each other and keep the neighborhood a welcoming place for all!
