Dublin Core
Title
Box 4, Folder 14, Document 98
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Text
EDWIN L. STERNE
CHAIRMAN
LESTER H. PERSELLS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
CARLTON GARRETT
GEORGE S. CRAFT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
VICE CHAIRMAN
GILBERT H. BOGGS
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
HOWARD OPENSHAW
J. B. BLAYTON DIRECTOR OF REDEVELOPMENT
FRANK G. ETHERIDGE GEORGE R. SANDER
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
JACK F. GLENN
824 HURT BUILDING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
JACKSON 3-6074
September 30,° 1969
Mr. Malcolm D. Jones
Executive Director
Citizens Advisory Committee
for Urban Renewal
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mr. Jones:
Mr. Persells has asked me to reply to your letter of August 18, 1969
relative to the Executive Committee's concern over several features
of Atlanta's Urban Renewal Program. First, let me say that we share
the Committee's concern over the length of time required to close out
earlier projects. However, to imply that the length of time taken to
close out projects is due to an apparent lack of aggressiveness on the
part of the Authority is ludicrous. The original five urban renewal
projects have been amended forty-two times, requiring an additional
eight million dollars from the Federal government, and resulting in a
stadium, expansion of Georgia State College, additional land for schools,
parks, and neighborhood facilities, acquisition of commercial properties
on Georgia Avenue, and numerous other improvements. The average length
of time involved in securing Federal approval of an amendment has been
twelve months, with several requiring thirty months.
A second major factor delaying project close-outs is the funding and
construction of non-cash grants-in-aid. The Butler Street Project,
for example, could not be closed out earlier because the proposed
school was not funded until the passage of the 1968 bond issue, with
construction starting in August, 1969.
Even after renewal land has been sold, many developers have experienced
delays caused by the tight money market, high interest rates and
soaring costs.
Nonetheless, projects are not closed out without special effort. Re-
cently I established a special task force to identify and expedite all.
remaining activities to be completed in the original projects. Two of
these projects - Butler Street and Georgia State - have been completed
this year and are waiting final HUD audit. I want to assure the Com-
mittee that the Authority recognizes its responsibility to proceed as
rapidly as possible to complete the early projects.
Foel. 2
-C-
I share the Committee's concern over its seemingly perfunctory role of
late. If it is to perform its function as outlined in the Aldermanic
resolution creating the Committee, ie., advise the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen and other public bodies concerned with Urban Renewal in the
City, then it seems to me that it must continue to review proposed
Urban Renewal activities formulated by the various project area committees
with an overview of the total needs of the City. The Committee's views
on pending redevelopment actions should be expressed to the Aldermanic
Planning and Redevelopment Committee, as did Bob Summerville, former
Committee Chairman. The Authority will cooperate in any way possible
in assisting the Committee in carrying out its function of providing
guidance and direction to the City in the administration of its Urban
Renewal program.
The comments pertaining to the West End Urban Renewal Project are ob-
viously personal expressions of frustrations shared by the Authority.
The West End Urban Renewal Project is now in its third year of execu-
tion and to date the Authority has acquired 516 parcels of land (87%),
relocated 57 families and 77 businesses (97%), demolished 35 structures
(74%), sold or put under agreement for sale 5) acres of land (55%), and
completed rehabilitation of 50). structures (22%). In addition, the |
Authority has acquired and conveyed to the City 8.7 acres of land for
park development, and the 1.1 million dollar Dean Rusk Elementary School
has been completed. The redeveloper for the 15 acre enclosed mall
shopping center is presently securing leases, with construction scheduled
n 1970.
In spite of the progress made to date, there are three specific areas
in West End where progress has been delayed. The first is the seven
acre tract adjacent to the Park Street Methodist Church. This area
involves a land use change and is included in an amendment submitted
to HUD on June 17, 1969. On September 23, HUD approved an Authority
request to proceed with a public hearing and local adoption of the
plan amendment pursuant to offering the land for sale for residential
re-use. The public hearing has been scheduled for October 17 before
the Planning and Development Committee.
A second area involves some twenty-four acres of land in the vicinity
of Lee and Oglethorpe, presently designated for office warehouse and
general office use. The West End Advisory Committee had previously
agreed that this area needed further study in light of the proposed
location of rapid transit in the area.
The third area involves the motel and residential uses on Oak Street,
between Ashby and Peeples Streets. The three acre motel site was on
the market for 18 months and no proposals were received. Five rede-
velopers submitted proposals for 76 dwelling units on parcel 19, but
the West End Advisory Committee recommended rejection of all proposals,
re-study of the site in conjunction with the motel tract, and re-offer
for sale. The status of the West End plan will be discussed with the
West End Advisory Committee on October 1.
The Authority recognizes the urgency of proceeding as rapidly as possible
in each of the eight conventional urban renewal areas and five neighbor-
hood development program areas in the City. I want to assure the Com-
mittee that Mr. Persells and I have committed ourselves to this task
while making the program responsive to human needs.
-3-
We pledge our continued cooperation to CACUR and others devoted to
making Atlanta the great city it is destined to become.
Very truly yours,
Howard Openshaw
Director of Redevelopment
HO:pe
cc: Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mr. Rodney M. Cook °
Dr. Noah WN. Langdale, Jr.
Mr. A.B. Padgett
Dean Alex B. Lacy, Jr.
CHAIRMAN
LESTER H. PERSELLS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
CARLTON GARRETT
GEORGE S. CRAFT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
VICE CHAIRMAN
GILBERT H. BOGGS
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
HOWARD OPENSHAW
J. B. BLAYTON DIRECTOR OF REDEVELOPMENT
FRANK G. ETHERIDGE GEORGE R. SANDER
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
JACK F. GLENN
824 HURT BUILDING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
JACKSON 3-6074
September 30,° 1969
Mr. Malcolm D. Jones
Executive Director
Citizens Advisory Committee
for Urban Renewal
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mr. Jones:
Mr. Persells has asked me to reply to your letter of August 18, 1969
relative to the Executive Committee's concern over several features
of Atlanta's Urban Renewal Program. First, let me say that we share
the Committee's concern over the length of time required to close out
earlier projects. However, to imply that the length of time taken to
close out projects is due to an apparent lack of aggressiveness on the
part of the Authority is ludicrous. The original five urban renewal
projects have been amended forty-two times, requiring an additional
eight million dollars from the Federal government, and resulting in a
stadium, expansion of Georgia State College, additional land for schools,
parks, and neighborhood facilities, acquisition of commercial properties
on Georgia Avenue, and numerous other improvements. The average length
of time involved in securing Federal approval of an amendment has been
twelve months, with several requiring thirty months.
A second major factor delaying project close-outs is the funding and
construction of non-cash grants-in-aid. The Butler Street Project,
for example, could not be closed out earlier because the proposed
school was not funded until the passage of the 1968 bond issue, with
construction starting in August, 1969.
Even after renewal land has been sold, many developers have experienced
delays caused by the tight money market, high interest rates and
soaring costs.
Nonetheless, projects are not closed out without special effort. Re-
cently I established a special task force to identify and expedite all.
remaining activities to be completed in the original projects. Two of
these projects - Butler Street and Georgia State - have been completed
this year and are waiting final HUD audit. I want to assure the Com-
mittee that the Authority recognizes its responsibility to proceed as
rapidly as possible to complete the early projects.
Foel. 2
-C-
I share the Committee's concern over its seemingly perfunctory role of
late. If it is to perform its function as outlined in the Aldermanic
resolution creating the Committee, ie., advise the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen and other public bodies concerned with Urban Renewal in the
City, then it seems to me that it must continue to review proposed
Urban Renewal activities formulated by the various project area committees
with an overview of the total needs of the City. The Committee's views
on pending redevelopment actions should be expressed to the Aldermanic
Planning and Redevelopment Committee, as did Bob Summerville, former
Committee Chairman. The Authority will cooperate in any way possible
in assisting the Committee in carrying out its function of providing
guidance and direction to the City in the administration of its Urban
Renewal program.
The comments pertaining to the West End Urban Renewal Project are ob-
viously personal expressions of frustrations shared by the Authority.
The West End Urban Renewal Project is now in its third year of execu-
tion and to date the Authority has acquired 516 parcels of land (87%),
relocated 57 families and 77 businesses (97%), demolished 35 structures
(74%), sold or put under agreement for sale 5) acres of land (55%), and
completed rehabilitation of 50). structures (22%). In addition, the |
Authority has acquired and conveyed to the City 8.7 acres of land for
park development, and the 1.1 million dollar Dean Rusk Elementary School
has been completed. The redeveloper for the 15 acre enclosed mall
shopping center is presently securing leases, with construction scheduled
n 1970.
In spite of the progress made to date, there are three specific areas
in West End where progress has been delayed. The first is the seven
acre tract adjacent to the Park Street Methodist Church. This area
involves a land use change and is included in an amendment submitted
to HUD on June 17, 1969. On September 23, HUD approved an Authority
request to proceed with a public hearing and local adoption of the
plan amendment pursuant to offering the land for sale for residential
re-use. The public hearing has been scheduled for October 17 before
the Planning and Development Committee.
A second area involves some twenty-four acres of land in the vicinity
of Lee and Oglethorpe, presently designated for office warehouse and
general office use. The West End Advisory Committee had previously
agreed that this area needed further study in light of the proposed
location of rapid transit in the area.
The third area involves the motel and residential uses on Oak Street,
between Ashby and Peeples Streets. The three acre motel site was on
the market for 18 months and no proposals were received. Five rede-
velopers submitted proposals for 76 dwelling units on parcel 19, but
the West End Advisory Committee recommended rejection of all proposals,
re-study of the site in conjunction with the motel tract, and re-offer
for sale. The status of the West End plan will be discussed with the
West End Advisory Committee on October 1.
The Authority recognizes the urgency of proceeding as rapidly as possible
in each of the eight conventional urban renewal areas and five neighbor-
hood development program areas in the City. I want to assure the Com-
mittee that Mr. Persells and I have committed ourselves to this task
while making the program responsive to human needs.
-3-
We pledge our continued cooperation to CACUR and others devoted to
making Atlanta the great city it is destined to become.
Very truly yours,
Howard Openshaw
Director of Redevelopment
HO:pe
cc: Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mr. Rodney M. Cook °
Dr. Noah WN. Langdale, Jr.
Mr. A.B. Padgett
Dean Alex B. Lacy, Jr.
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