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Council moves CVA festival petition to formal business after members seek advertising details
Summary
Council moved the CVA festival petition for Hart Plaza to formal business; council members asked the administration to confirm advertised programming after concerns the event was promoted as a 'modern-day Freaknik.'
The Detroit City Council moved a petition by the CVA to hold a festival at Hart Plaza on June 28–29 to formal business and asked city staff to provide event advertising and lineup materials before final approval.
Council member Benson asked the mayor’s office and Parks staff whether the festival’s promotional materials replicate last year’s advertising that referred to the event as a “modern day Freaknik” and cited a headliner. Miss Fife, a Parks staff member present through the chair, said she had not seen the advertising and would contact Jackson Earnest, Hart Plaza manager, to obtain copies of the event collateral and the planned lineup.
Benson said his concern was not to presume wrongdoing by the event organizer but to ensure the city’s permitted events align with community values, and he asked staff to confirm whether last year’s problematic elements would be repeated. “I will reach out and get more information,” Miss Fife said. Gail Fulton of the mayor’s office said she would get the materials to Benson’s office.
The petition (line 6.3) requests use of Hart Plaza from June 27 (setup) through June 30 (teardown) for a June 28–29 festival. A motion to move the petition to formal regular business with a recommendation for approval passed without objection. Council members requested the advertising collateral be shared before the next formal session so members could review lineup and promotional language.
No final permit, fee waiver or license was approved in the meeting; the item was advanced to regular business for further review.
