Coalition raises civil rights concerns over Brent Spence Bridge project

The Federal Highway Administration is investigating allegations of racial discrimination after a coalition filed a civil rights complaint against the $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project and will visit the region soon to talk to residents about their concerns.

Residents met Wednesday night and talked about why they believe the project to widen Interstate 71/75 and build a double-decker bridge next to the current one will disproportionately impact poor families and minorities in Cincinnati and Covington.

The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for Transit and Sustainable Development filed a federal complaint alleging that the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The coalition is made up of 19 business, faith and civic leaders from organizations such as the Cincinnati Preservation Association, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Devou Good Foundation.

“We want to make sure that this project has the best long-term impact on the whole community,” said Matt Butler, president of the Devou Good Foundation, which held a community meeting Wednesday night.

“There’s a lot of adverse effects like air pollution, additional sound from construction and vehicles,” he said. “Needs to be something written in stone for the small business people looking to grow.”

Residents who attended the meeting were concerned about job creation and potential economic growth. They worry outside companies will receive all the work and local residents won’t have job opportunities.

“We the ones that are paying taxes on this side of the bridge and on that side of the bridge but yall have powerhouses come in and steamroll us then y’all just say ‘Well, the bridge is done. We out of here,’” one resident said.

Chris Packer, a Cincinnati resident, says if the project doesn’t bring jobs, that could impact the youth.

“To be able to come home and say ‘O.K., my mom built that project or my dad worked on that project’ and they don’t see that pattern of development working in trades,” he said.

Butler said he hopes to continue these kinds of conversations in the coming months.

“We’re welcoming all ideas and all input into this and we’re here to organize the community and elevate their concerns,” he said.

Another community meeting will be held next week in the West End.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coalition raises civil rights concerns over Brent Spence Bridge project