Community Organizing, Community Benefits Agreements and the Quest for Equitable Development in Baltimore

Abstract

This study explores the governance structure and social capital of coalitions of community organizations in Baltimore participating in negotiations with the City and developers. The coalitions were formed because mega developments funded through taxpayer initiatives called Tax Increment Financing (TIF) often do not include community input. There is significant literature on the use of coalitions to negotiate community benefits agreements on behalf of communities. However, there are gaps in the literature on the governance structure of the coalitions and how they are different from those who have not utilized community benefits agreements. This study examines the governance structure of coalitions involved in negotiations around megadevelopments and the conditions upon which they were successful in negotiating a community benefits agreement. Using semi-structured interviews, Vital Signs data, and information from public documents, the critical elements of governing community coalitions will be examined to understand how benefits are negotiated from mega developments in or near their respective communities.