Red Line Page

 

BRIDGE kicked off Red Line jobs campaign on August 4th,
Make the road to nowhere a road to somewhere better!

Click here for footage of Congressman Cummings remarks

Click here for WBAL-TV media footage

Click here for WJZ-TV media footage

Click here for the Baltimore SUN article

BRIDGE calls for job creation on the proposed Red Line.


Congressman Elijah Cummings spoke, joined by city, state and county officials, and leaders in transportation, planning, labor and community development.


The BRIDGE campaign kickoff rally was held at Pulaski Street, where the proposed mass transit Red Line meets the West Baltimore MARC train line. This block is also the end wall of the “road to nowhere,” the aborted highway project that destroyed so much of West Baltimore.

The proposed mass transit Red Line, running from Security Square in the West to Bayview Hospital in the East, is Baltimore's chance for job training that leads to lifetime, family-wage careers and construction that creates lively economic centers in safe, beautiful and accessible neighborhoods.


The BRIDGE to opportunity campaign calls for: a legally binding community workforce agreement that ensures the Red Line project employs Baltimore residents; binding agreements to provide opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses; proven workforce development ensuring that 30 percent of the work is completed by low income, women and minority workers; investing 0.5 percent of federal highway funds in job training programs, as federal law allows; accountability to community and low-income people; improved connectivity in public transportation; and equity in building and development that enforces Baltimore's inclusive zoning law and ensures mixed-income development.


By joining forces early in the planning process we can shape lasting changes that will benefit Baltimore neighborhoods. Congressman Elijah Cummings, member of the Congressional Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Representative for much of Baltimore City and County, wants to bring jobs and sustainable economic development to the neighborhoods of the Red Line. Congressman Cummings will speak about his vision for the Red Line, a vision he shares with BRIDGE.


BRIDGE members say we can reclaim the path of destruction left by the road to nowhere. The Red Line can be a road to somewhere better for families and neighborhoods in its path.

OUR VISION

As diverse communities of faith we recognize that our destinies are intertwined. We reject the divisions in our city, our region, and our nation and we affirm the promise of community that bridges these divisions.

As we build relationships across neighborhood, city, racial and economic lines, we discover that our struggles are connected. We want all to live in safe, healthy and thriving communities. We want all to have honest, dignified work earning a wage that can support our families. We want all to afford a place we are proud to call home.

OUR PLATFORM

The BRIDGE to Opportunity Campaign ensures that the promise of prosperity reaches all members of the community. We believe that together, we can overcome obstacles that stand between a better life for ourselves and for our neighbor. We stand as a growing community in support of:

• Equity. Ensure that targeted groups, in particular, low-income people, complete at least 30% of workforce hours, with specific goals for including women and minorities. Ensure that there is a level playing field for small businesses, especially minority and women owned enterprises, to participate in their fair share of the project.
• Workforce Development. The Maryland Department of Transportation should take full advantage of existing law, which allows investment up to ½ of 1% of their federal transportation funds in workforce development and training programs.
• Accountability. Require contractors engaged in Red Line construction to report quarterly on workforce goals to community stakeholders.
• Inclusive Development. Development along any transportation corridor should comply with the inclusionary zoning ordinance developed by BRIDGE, to ensure mixed income community development.
• Mobility: The Redline is an important step in the providing an affordable, reliable, safe and effective public transportation system. We encourage increased investment and connectivity in public transportation.
• City, County, State, and Federal policies should increase access to opportunity by advancing these goals. We believe that the Baltimore region and the State of Maryland can lead the way towards Building One America where everybody's in and nobody's out!

OUR BACKGROUND

BRIDGE to Opportunity is an initiative of the Baltimore Regional Initiative Developing Genuine Equality. BRIDGE, works with over 50 faith communities and institutions, whose membership includes thousands of residents in the Baltimore region. A partner with the Transportation Equity Network, BRIDGE addresses issues that impact their communities and seeks answers through conversation and action. NRODGE to opportunity builds on recent efforts to promote equity in the Baltimore region, including the passage of inclusionary zoning ordinances in Baltimore City.

BRIDGE to Opportunity is building on the success of similar efforts across the county:
• Minnesota – Thanks to the work of a faith-based organization of 100 congregations, the state department of transportation committed to use ½ of 1% of federal highway funds to invest in developing a diverse, inclusive workforce.
• St. Louis, Missouri – Metropolitan Congregations United led all the stakeholders to an agreement on a major highway construction project to ensure that 30% of workforce hours were completed by women, communities of color, and low-income people, and $2.5 million dollars were invested in the training of these new construction workers.
• Kansas City – MORE2, the faith based organization in the region, passed a city-wide ordinance to transform their construction industry so that it would reflect the population – this meant meeting ambitious targeted hiring goals for women and people of color, with accountability mechanisms in place to ensure rigorous compliance.