Box 18, Folder 24, Document 20

Box 18, Folder 24, Document 20

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THE RENEWER

NEWSLETTER OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR URBAN RENEWAL

































Vol. 5 No. 6 Atlanta, Georgia June 1967

DETERMINED TO KEEP FAITH WITH BEDFORD-PINE Despite the difficulties
PEOPLE ON HOUSING, PERSELLS ASSURES COMMITTEE of obtaining federal

approval for public
housing in "'racially identifiable" areas, the Atlanta Housing Authority is determined
to keep faith with the people of the Bedford-Pine area and install housing there.

That was the assurance given our executive committee by Lester H,
Persells, AHA redevelopment director, in a discussion following an updating
summary of the far from rosy housing picture given by Gilbert Boggs, AHA
director of housing, Said Mr. Persells: ''The policy of HUD and the Public
Housing Administration is that they do not choose to finance housing in 'racially
identifiable’ areas, but housing will be built in the Bedford-Pine area. The federal
agencies are not delaying us, We are going full steam ahead. Vie are going to keep
our faith with the Bedford-Pine people, '' In answer to a question from Herbert
Waldrip, chairman of the Bedforde Pine associate citizens advisory committee, as
to what action would be taken if the federal agencies refuse to finance housing in
the area, Persells replied, ''They are not going to say No."

FEDERAL DECISION ON BEDFORD- PINE Mr. Persells further
WILL HAVE BEARING ON OTHER AREAS pointed out that there
is talk that no more
public housing can be built in the western two thirds of Atlanta because it is
"racially identifiable" since it has a large percentage of Negro population. Asked
he: "How can you write off 64 and 2/3 per cent of the population?'' He then pointed
out that in urban renewal areas the population seemed always to be almost 100 per
cent white or almost 100 per cent Negro, Said he; ''The Bedford-Pine area is also
'racially identifiable’ as almost 100 per cent Negro, But these people want to remain
there in better living conditions,'' He added that the Bedford-Pine application had
been delayed for some time while federal agencies are considering this problem. He
also mentioned that the conditions in Nash-Bans and Model City areas are similar to
those in BedfordePine, Accordingly, the federal answer to the Bedford- Pine
application will have bearing on these projects. Mr, Persells also added that, in
the two year program embracing more than 9, 000 housing units, from ten to 25
different sites will be required, He made the final point that our committee could
be of service in encouraging the federal and city governments to locate low rent
housing in various sections of Atlanta.

SITES APPROVED FOR 1,125 UNITS, In discussing the
BUT SIX FOR 1, 550 ARE TURNED DOWN immediate housing
efforts, Mr. Boggs
said that emphasis was being placed on the new turnkey plan, but that turn downs on
sites by the regional HUD office were slowing progress, He explained that tentative
approval had been given to four sites which would provide room for 1,125 units, but
six sites which would have provided for 1, 650 units had been rejected. Summed up
Mr. Boggs, "We are continuing to submit sites. We are hopeful that we can produce
the housing that is needed, \/e can provide more housing more quickly under the
turnkey program, but we face another difficulty because such housing is not approved
unless the costs are ten per cent under costs for other housing." A final point made
by Mr. Boggs was that applications have been filed for 500 more units of leased
public housing.

In a question and answer exchange, Edgar Schukraft urged that 300
additional units for the elderly be constructed adjoining the John O, Chiles building.
He also suggested that churches should join in sponsoring apartments. Executive
Committeeman Calloway sounded a note of optimism, saying that Atlanta is now
realistically facing the housing problem which has been building up over several
years, Said he, "We have the spirit now and it is the spirit that will conquer,"






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U.S. POLICY, ZONING AND AVAILABLE LAND Asked by Chairman

DISRUPT HOUSING EFFORT, JONES DECLARES Sommerville to comment
on the crash program

on housing, Col. Malcolm D, Jones, housing resources coordinator, linked zoning

and availability of land with federal policy as having disruptive efforts. He explained

that on the previous day the Housing Resources Committee had asked the City

Planning Department to furnish a list of tracts of land embracing five or more acres

that could be zoned for multiple family housing. Col. Jones also pointed out that the

present trend was toward cooperative housing. Chairman Sommerville requested

Col. Jones to update our committee at the July meeting.

COMMITTEE INSTRUCTS CHAIRMAN TO ASK Following Col, Jones!
MAYOR TO EXPEDITE AVAILABLE LAND LIST talk, the executive

committee adopted a
resolution requesting Chairman Sommerville to write Mayor Allen asking that the
information on available land tracts be expedited. Mr. Sommerville said he would
do so promptly.

CITY COUNTING ON FEDERAL AID TO EXPAND Atlanta again is counting
SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM, DIRECTOR SAYS on financial help from
the federal government
to enable it to step up its recreation program to meet the extra needs of the summer
season, Miss Virginia Carmichael, city director of recreation, explained to our
executive committee June 21. Said she: ''For many years, Atlanta has carried ona
very fine all year recreation program for all ages, but our funds are insufficient to
meet the extra needs for the summer. Last year we received funds from the federal
government which made it possible for us to expand our regular program in such ways
as leasing and staffing playlots and "operation champ" areas. We were able to
conduct an all around program, including picnics, tours to industries, to ball games
and many other activities. So last year we had one of the best summer programs we
ever had, We received $25, 000 for an intensive swimming instruction program.
This reached more than 20,000 children, 12,000 of whom were taught to swim. But
all these funds were cut off on Labor Day, so since then we have had to carry on the
playlots out of regular funds. Now we have gone to the federal government again.
While we have not heard from them yet, we are going ahead on faith, We plan to
operate and staff 25 playlots and 22 champ areas. Last year, we did not get the word
until July 4, but we had gotten ready and so we went into operation on July 6. We can
do that again,"

In the questions and answers that followed Miss Carmichael's talk, it was
brought out that the Metropolitan Foundation of which Executive Committeeman A, B.
Padgett is director had been most helpful in sustaining a residence camp for children
at Lake Allatoona. Miss Carmichael also stressed the success achieved by four
portable swimming pools obtained with $30,000 given by the Rich Foundation. These
are being operated in "hard core'' areas and may be loaned to the school department
after the summer season. Summed up Chairman Sommerville: ''The donation of
four portable swimming pools is not a small thing at all, but it was done at the time
it was needed, If things like this can be done when there is need, a great deal can
be accomplished,"' In the discussion there were also several comments regarding
the city's prompt action to improve conditions in the Dixie Hills area following the
recent disturbances there, Said Mr, Calloway: "Agitators always pick areas which
present them with an opportunity to 'get the show on the road', Let us give thought
to providing facilities immediately in areas where we know they are needed,"
Commented Chairman Sommerville "I wish the city could avoid putting itself in the
light of rushing bulldozers to work after these incidents. It's ridiculous, If we know
of these places, let's put our fingers on them and be in there doing something before
incidents happen."

FEDERAL FUNDS NOW SEEM ASSURED Two days after our
meeting, city recreation

officials received unofficial word that the requested federal financial assistance
would be forthcoming. Accordingly, the expanded summer program outlined by Miss
Carmichael seems assured.


NO BIAS IN AWARD ON ROCKDALE, There was no bias or
LAND USE GOOD, COMMITTEE IS TOLD discrimination in the

awarding of the Rockdale
redevelopment contract to David Rosen Associates, Executive Committeeman T. M.
Alexander, Sr., reported at the June 21 meeting. Mr. Alexander, chairman of our
special subcommittee on redevelopment proposals, explained that the developer's
plans made good use of the land taking into consideration the entrances, exits and
transportation. He also pointed out that the Union Baptist Church has become
affiliated as a sponsor.

MEMBERS OF NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE More than 40 elementary
TAKEN ON TOUR OF PROJECTS AND MODEL CITY school teachers from

all over the U.S. were
guests of our committee on a tour of urban renewal projects and the model neighbor-
hood target area June 22, The teachers were attending a National Defense Educa-
tional Association Institute at Emory University. Since all are engaged in instructing
disadvantaged children in mathematics, one of the objects of the institute is to obtain
first hand observation of the kinds of environments in which such children reside, It
was pointed out that this enables the teachers to emphasize the sociological concept
in their classes. The institute is directed by Dr. Dora Helen Skypeck, of the Emory
faculty, Arrangements for the tour were made by Dr, Ann Grant, of the Morehouse
sociology faculty, who is working with the institute. Mrs. Margret Ross, Atlanta
Housing Authority information officer, and Wilson McClure, West End project
director, acted as "'barkers'' on the bus. At the luncheon stop at Paschall's
restaurant, Executive Director Howland spoke briefly, explaining our committee's
activities and stressing the emphasis being placed on the enhancement of human
values as well as the improvement of property in urban renewal projects. Mr.
McClure outlined the progress of the West End project.

ALEXANDER VOICES COMMITTEE'S CONGRATULATIONS Executive Committee-
AT ROCKDALE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY man T.M. Alexander, Sr,
and Executive Director
Howland represented our committee at the signing of the Rockdale redevelopment
contract, June 15, Mr, Alexander expressed congratulations to David L. Rosen
Associates of New York, upon winning the competition for the single largest project
to date in Atlanta's urban renewal program. Said Mr. Alexander, "I congratulate
the David Rosen group for their fine concept of a very complicated plan, Of all the
four proposals submitted -- and all were excellent -- this was the most outstanding,
We are happy that the Union Baptist Church is a sponsor.'' Ina press statement
Mayor Allen said: "I cordially congratulate David L, Rosen upon being selected to
carry out the largest single development in all eight years of our urban renewal
program. In arriving at its decision, the Atlanta Housing Authority was aided by
the thinking of a wide variety of individuals, representing the city government,
professional and citizen groups. I would like to express my appreciation to all."'
Commented Rodney M. Cook, Chairman of the Aldermanic Planning and Development
Committee: 'This development will add an entirely new community, well-planned
and designed to meet the needs of the people who will live there.'' Just before
sitting down to sign the 17 page contract, Edwin L. Sterne, Chairman of Board of
Commissioners, AHA, said: ''We are pleased to award the contract for the
recevelopment of the Rockdale Urban Redevelopment Project to David L. Rosen.
We were delighted with the superior quality of all four proposals received, They
were all substantial and any one of them would be a credit to the Rockdale community, "'

PROPOSAL CALLS FOR 1,386 DWELLING UNITS; Picking up the pen to
PRICE OF $896,000 ESTABLISHED FOR LAND affix his signature,
Mr. Rosen, with a
smile, said to Mr. Sterne: ''Now I owe you almost $900, 000.'' He referred to the
price of $896, 000 fixed for the 154,12 acres of residential land and the 9.14 acres
for commercial use. The Rosen proposal calls for the construction of 1, 386 dwelling
units, of which 85 per cent will be apartments and 15 per cent townhouses. The
total will include 140 one bedroom units, to rent at from $60 to $68 monthly; 830 two
bedroom units to rent at from $70 to $78 monthly; 416 three bedroom units, to rent
at from $80 to $90 monthly. The housing is designed in clusters in the different
sections on relatively level "island communities!' along the ridges of the hills,