Discovering and applying new and innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and programs
Creating Jobs and Wealth in Distressed Michigan Communities
Butler, Sam
Doing Development Differently (D4)
Sam Butler is the executive director of Doing Development Differently in Metro Detroit, otherwise known as D4. Founded in 2010, D4 is a diverse coalition of labor and community organizations, committed to equitable development and using the built environment to create “win-win” scenarios for the community, the economy, workers, and the environment. Prior to D4, Sam was Director of Planning & Technical Programs at Michigan Community Resources and served as Interim Executive Director of Creekside CDC.
Project
The proposed action plan includes four primary projects designed to infuse more community benefits into Detroit development practice:
- Advocating for Detroit to adopt an incentive zoning policy
- Encouraging Detroit to adopt stronger engagement and noticing requirements for developments
- Establishing equitable development standards for publicly-owned land
- Collaborating to negotiate a community benefits agreement for a large-scale project
- Collaborating to support the Access for All program, designed to train more Detroiters and people of color to enter the construction trades
- Collaborating to reach mutual understanding about how to revamp Detroit’s Community Benefits Ordinance