In an exclusive Afternoons with Amos interview, City-County Councilmen Vop Osili and Joe Simpson explain their support of a controversial deal of those controversial TIF (Tax Increment Finance) districts downtown and on Mass Avenue that the two say will bring jobs and development to a near westside Black community. Last Monday, in controversial 5-1 vote, a City-County Council committee OK’d the Mass Ave/Downtown TIF, but with the addition of a neighborhood north of Bush Stadium which would bring new development to a neighborhood left behind for years. The action was controversial and has drawn sharp condemnation from other Council Democrats, watchdogs and community activists. Osili and Simpson told Brown that their compromise with the City would include a guarantee that 40% of the jobs in the new TIF would come from the north of 16th Street neighborhood. Plus there would be $2 million in microloans for small businesses; $1.5 million in job training programs for residents of the area and another $10 million in revolving loans to create development that produces affordable housing and jobs.
Click to Hear Councilmen Osili and Simpson Explain Their Plan and Talk With Listeners. Runs 41 Minutes ©2012 WTLC/Radio One.
