Council member Raquel Castanada-Lopez
At least one Detroit City Council member, Raquel Castanada-Lopez, plans to vote "no" Tuesday on a package of key agreements for the Detroit Pistons' move downtown to Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Free Press reports.
She tells the paper she still has a number of unanswered questions and concerns including the need to see an agreement on the number of Detroiters who will be employed at the arena, as well as clearly outlined youth and community opportunities.
The arena is in her district.
"I think everyone in general is really excited and very happy about the Pistons coming back to the City of Detroit," Castañeda-López tells the Free Press. "... But it’s been inaccurately portrayed as being a done deal.
"There were many, many other steps to go through. I definitely have concerns about the deal and what they’re getting out of it and what we’re getting out of it as a city. ... At this point it would be difficult for me to support the lack of commitment around community benefits that would directly impact Detroiters."
The Pistons have also not yet signed a lease, though it appears near, the Freep reports.
