Dublin Core
Title
Box 3, Folder 5, Document 1
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
EOWIN L, STERNE
CHAIRMAN. LESTER H. PERSELLS
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
624 HURT BYILOING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30203
JACKSON 39-6074
December 10, 1969
- MEMORANDUM
To: Mr. E.M. Laws
Chairman, Vine City Project Area Committee
From: Mr. Lester Persells, Executive Director and
Mr. Howard Openshaw, Director of Redevelopment
Present: Mr. E.M. Laws, Mrs. Dorothy Bolden, Mrs. Clara Bell
Williams, Mr. Richard Hoffman, Mr. Ralph Jacobson,
Mr. Lester Persells, Mr. Howard Openshaw.
Subject: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
VINE CITY PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE AND THEIR LEGAI, COUNSEL
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1969.
1. We regret that the situation in Vine City is such that representa-
tives of the PAC have requested Mr. Barnett's transfer. Mr. Persells
and I both feel that Mr. Barnett is totally committed to serve the PAC
and the Vine City community. We certainly hope that any difficulties
that exist can be worked out and that Mr. Barnett's relationship with
the PAC will be effective in achieving the objectives of the Vine City
community. ,
2. The Atlanta Housing Authority has established a project office and
appropriate staff in each NDP area in order to bring the program closer
to the people and to enable the residents, through their PAC, to be in-
volved in the planning and implementation of the program. The project
director is the Housing Authority's representative in the community and,
in turn, represents the community in his contacts with this office. Of
course, all members of the Authority are available upon request for
technical assistance. If any problems can be identified in communicat-
ions between the Authority and the PAC, then we will do more than our
share to correct them.
3. The PAC working directly with the project director in the day-to-day
program activities has proven effective in all neighborhoods. The
purpose of establishing project offices and project directors in neigh-
borhoods is to allow the Housing Authority and the PAC to communicate
more meaningfully with residents. All plans and recommendations from
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
Ae
individual neighborhoods are reviewed by the Housing Authority and the
City Planning Department with regard to the total program of the City
and the financial limitations of the City and the Federal government.
The PAC should be represented at all meetings of the Planning and
Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen when actions affecting
Vine City are considered (see item 6 below).
kh. A list of the membership of the Citizens! Advisory Committee for
Urban Renewal appointed by the mayor is attached (exhibit A). It is
our understanding that Mr. A.J. Lockhart, 85 Griffin Street, NW, a
resident of Vine City, is on the committee. Attached is a letter
(exhibit B), dated August 20, 1969 to Dr. Noah Langdale, Chairman of
the CACUR, respectfully requesting that each Project Area Committee
be invited to appoint a member to the Citizens! Advisory Committee for
Urban Renewal.
5. All project directors, managers and branch chiefs from the Redevelop-
ment Division of the Authority hold staff meetings every Monday at 10 A.M.
at 82) Hurt Building. The purpose of the staff meetings is to report on
pending activities and to coordinate the activities of the various
projects and departments within the Authority. While these staff meetings
are not secret, no useful purpose would be served by PAC attendance, as
no policy making decisions are made therein.
6. The Housing Authority will notify the PAC whenever the Planning and
Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen meets to consider any
actions affecting Vine City. Prior to adoption by the Mayor and Board
of Aldermen of any plans designating acquisition or rehabilitation of
properties, a public hearing is required, to which the PAC and area
residents will be invited to represent the community's views. However,
other committees of the Board of Aldermen may take actions concerning a
particular neighborhood without the knowledge of the Housing Authority,
such as actions on rezoning, street paving, utility installation, etc.
7. The draft of the Citizen Participation Report for Vine City, pre-
pared by the Planning Consultants, contains an estimated cost of $13,220.
to support the PAC and includes costs of publishing newsletters,
attending monthly meetings, and providing technical assistance to the PAC.
These costs will be included in the planning consultant's contract.
8. Following notification that Atlanta's 1970.NDP allocation from the
Federal Government was reduced to $7,500,000 it became necessary to
return the plans to the neighborhoods to determine priorities within
the available Federal funds.
The revised time schedule is as follows:
January 30 -- Public Hearings on neighborhood plans for 1970.
February 2 -=- Submit to Board of Aldermen for approval.
February 3 -- Submit to Atlanta Housing Authority Board for approval.
February 6 Submit NDP application to HUD.
It is imperative that PAC plans for each neighborhood be finalized and
submitted to the Housing Authority no later than January 15, 1970.
9. Each submission to the Federal Government of an NDP application
=3<
requires a citizen participation report including: (a) a statement
from each PAC on the timing, location and appropriateness of activities
planned for the Urban Renewal Area, and (b) a report on citizen partici-
pation describing the information and technical assistance provided,
prepared by the Housing Authority. While the PAC minutes would assist
the Housing Authority in preparing item (b) above, it is not essential
or required that the Housing Authority obtain copies of the PAC minutes.
We feel compelled at this point to state again that the PAC, representing
all the area residents, consultants, and the Housing Authority are a team,
hopefully working together in a cooperative spirit to achieve the object-
ives of the Vine City Community.
10. With regard to PAC attendance at local, regional or national meetings
at project expense, see attached letter from HUD dated November 26, 1969,
(exhibit C).
11. The Department of the Public Works of the City has advised this office
that street paving now under way in Vine City, was undertaken at the
request of the Mayor. With respect to new construction to be undertaken
by the City in Vine City, I have requested Mr. Ray Nixon, Chief of the
City Construction, to coordinate future work with the Housing Authority
to determine if the improvements are in accordance with the plans for the
Area and to determine the method of funding, ie., assessment against
property owners or provided by the City.
12. Apparently the relocation activity report was not included in the
Neighborhood Development Program application furnished to the PAC. A
copy of the relocation activity report is attached (exhibit D).
13. It is our understanding that the PAC volunteered to assist the
planning consultants in conducting project area surveys. In accordance
with the consultants! contract with the Authority and HUD regulations,
all survey data become the property of the Authority. However, all
planning documentation is available to the PAC at the project office.
1h. The City Planning Department is responsible for the annual prepar-
ation and submission of the City's workable program to the Department
of Housing and Urban Development. Contact Mr. Collier Gladin, Planning
Director of the City, 7th floor, City Hall, telephone 522-63, for in-
formation relating to Atlanta's workable program.
15. It is the policy of the Housing Authority to employ residents from
program areas as jobs become available dependent, of course, on meeting
job qualifications. Persons employed in jobs requiring minimum quali-
fications will be trained and promoted according to their demonstrated
abilities.
16. The City Planning Department and the Housing Authority will present
to the Planning and Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen a
proposed allocation of NDP moneys and activities by neighborhoods based
on available Federal funds and PAC recommendations and priorities, all
subject to approval of the City comptroller, Planning and Development
Committee, the mayor and Board of Aldermen and the Federal Government,
(see attached schedules A and B, exhibits E and F).
17. Structures in good condition will not be acquired unless their
location and retention is contrary to the Urban Renewal plans formulated
-l-
by the PAC and adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen after a public
hearing. The plan will designate good structures for rehabilitation.
18. Home owners can be told now whether their houses are subject to
rehabilitation or clearance as determined by the plans prepared by the
PAC and their planning consultants. However, it is important to differ-
entiate whether rehabilitation or clearance will take place in 1970 or a
subsequent year and also to know that the plans are not final until
approved by the City and the Federal Government.
The PAC has established a priority of activities to be undertaken in 1970
with clearance to begin in area 35, then area 3), etc. A specific area
must also be veer res for rehabilitation by the PAC if this is your
desire.
19. In my letter to Mr. Laws on December lL, 1969 I indicated that, to
the extent feasible, the Housing Authority will carry out the objectives
of the PAC, ie., complete the clearance and redevelopment of area 35
before beginning acquisition in area 3h. A determination must be made
about this particular sequence of areas as to whether it is practicable
and possible from the standpoint of street access, utilities, and con-
struction of the residential units.
It will be virtually impossible to acquire property, relocate families,
demolish buildings, install necessary improvements, sell the land to
private enterprise and to construct and complete housing short of a year,
which means that property acquisition of the second area will probably
- not occur in the initial NDP year. It is simply a question of the
time involved to complete each activity in sequence in accordance with
applicable state and Federal regulations. We will explore with the PAC
the most feasible way to proceed, and concur with the PAC that families
to be displaced from the initial clearance area should be kept to a
minimum and every effort must be made to provide an opportunity for each
family to remain in the area.
In summary, we hope that this response adequately answers the questions
posed at the November 21, 1969 meeting. We want to assure the PAC and
all residents of the Vine City community of the commitment of the Atlanta
Housing Authority to a meaningful involvement of area residents in the
planning and execution of all Urban Renewal activities to be undertaken
in Vine City. The Housing Authority solicits the continued cooperation
of the PAC as we work together to make Vine City an outstanding resi-
dential area of Atlanta.
Enclosures.
CHAIRMAN. LESTER H. PERSELLS
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
624 HURT BYILOING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30203
JACKSON 39-6074
December 10, 1969
- MEMORANDUM
To: Mr. E.M. Laws
Chairman, Vine City Project Area Committee
From: Mr. Lester Persells, Executive Director and
Mr. Howard Openshaw, Director of Redevelopment
Present: Mr. E.M. Laws, Mrs. Dorothy Bolden, Mrs. Clara Bell
Williams, Mr. Richard Hoffman, Mr. Ralph Jacobson,
Mr. Lester Persells, Mr. Howard Openshaw.
Subject: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
VINE CITY PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE AND THEIR LEGAI, COUNSEL
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1969.
1. We regret that the situation in Vine City is such that representa-
tives of the PAC have requested Mr. Barnett's transfer. Mr. Persells
and I both feel that Mr. Barnett is totally committed to serve the PAC
and the Vine City community. We certainly hope that any difficulties
that exist can be worked out and that Mr. Barnett's relationship with
the PAC will be effective in achieving the objectives of the Vine City
community. ,
2. The Atlanta Housing Authority has established a project office and
appropriate staff in each NDP area in order to bring the program closer
to the people and to enable the residents, through their PAC, to be in-
volved in the planning and implementation of the program. The project
director is the Housing Authority's representative in the community and,
in turn, represents the community in his contacts with this office. Of
course, all members of the Authority are available upon request for
technical assistance. If any problems can be identified in communicat-
ions between the Authority and the PAC, then we will do more than our
share to correct them.
3. The PAC working directly with the project director in the day-to-day
program activities has proven effective in all neighborhoods. The
purpose of establishing project offices and project directors in neigh-
borhoods is to allow the Housing Authority and the PAC to communicate
more meaningfully with residents. All plans and recommendations from
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
Ae
individual neighborhoods are reviewed by the Housing Authority and the
City Planning Department with regard to the total program of the City
and the financial limitations of the City and the Federal government.
The PAC should be represented at all meetings of the Planning and
Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen when actions affecting
Vine City are considered (see item 6 below).
kh. A list of the membership of the Citizens! Advisory Committee for
Urban Renewal appointed by the mayor is attached (exhibit A). It is
our understanding that Mr. A.J. Lockhart, 85 Griffin Street, NW, a
resident of Vine City, is on the committee. Attached is a letter
(exhibit B), dated August 20, 1969 to Dr. Noah Langdale, Chairman of
the CACUR, respectfully requesting that each Project Area Committee
be invited to appoint a member to the Citizens! Advisory Committee for
Urban Renewal.
5. All project directors, managers and branch chiefs from the Redevelop-
ment Division of the Authority hold staff meetings every Monday at 10 A.M.
at 82) Hurt Building. The purpose of the staff meetings is to report on
pending activities and to coordinate the activities of the various
projects and departments within the Authority. While these staff meetings
are not secret, no useful purpose would be served by PAC attendance, as
no policy making decisions are made therein.
6. The Housing Authority will notify the PAC whenever the Planning and
Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen meets to consider any
actions affecting Vine City. Prior to adoption by the Mayor and Board
of Aldermen of any plans designating acquisition or rehabilitation of
properties, a public hearing is required, to which the PAC and area
residents will be invited to represent the community's views. However,
other committees of the Board of Aldermen may take actions concerning a
particular neighborhood without the knowledge of the Housing Authority,
such as actions on rezoning, street paving, utility installation, etc.
7. The draft of the Citizen Participation Report for Vine City, pre-
pared by the Planning Consultants, contains an estimated cost of $13,220.
to support the PAC and includes costs of publishing newsletters,
attending monthly meetings, and providing technical assistance to the PAC.
These costs will be included in the planning consultant's contract.
8. Following notification that Atlanta's 1970.NDP allocation from the
Federal Government was reduced to $7,500,000 it became necessary to
return the plans to the neighborhoods to determine priorities within
the available Federal funds.
The revised time schedule is as follows:
January 30 -- Public Hearings on neighborhood plans for 1970.
February 2 -=- Submit to Board of Aldermen for approval.
February 3 -- Submit to Atlanta Housing Authority Board for approval.
February 6 Submit NDP application to HUD.
It is imperative that PAC plans for each neighborhood be finalized and
submitted to the Housing Authority no later than January 15, 1970.
9. Each submission to the Federal Government of an NDP application
=3<
requires a citizen participation report including: (a) a statement
from each PAC on the timing, location and appropriateness of activities
planned for the Urban Renewal Area, and (b) a report on citizen partici-
pation describing the information and technical assistance provided,
prepared by the Housing Authority. While the PAC minutes would assist
the Housing Authority in preparing item (b) above, it is not essential
or required that the Housing Authority obtain copies of the PAC minutes.
We feel compelled at this point to state again that the PAC, representing
all the area residents, consultants, and the Housing Authority are a team,
hopefully working together in a cooperative spirit to achieve the object-
ives of the Vine City Community.
10. With regard to PAC attendance at local, regional or national meetings
at project expense, see attached letter from HUD dated November 26, 1969,
(exhibit C).
11. The Department of the Public Works of the City has advised this office
that street paving now under way in Vine City, was undertaken at the
request of the Mayor. With respect to new construction to be undertaken
by the City in Vine City, I have requested Mr. Ray Nixon, Chief of the
City Construction, to coordinate future work with the Housing Authority
to determine if the improvements are in accordance with the plans for the
Area and to determine the method of funding, ie., assessment against
property owners or provided by the City.
12. Apparently the relocation activity report was not included in the
Neighborhood Development Program application furnished to the PAC. A
copy of the relocation activity report is attached (exhibit D).
13. It is our understanding that the PAC volunteered to assist the
planning consultants in conducting project area surveys. In accordance
with the consultants! contract with the Authority and HUD regulations,
all survey data become the property of the Authority. However, all
planning documentation is available to the PAC at the project office.
1h. The City Planning Department is responsible for the annual prepar-
ation and submission of the City's workable program to the Department
of Housing and Urban Development. Contact Mr. Collier Gladin, Planning
Director of the City, 7th floor, City Hall, telephone 522-63, for in-
formation relating to Atlanta's workable program.
15. It is the policy of the Housing Authority to employ residents from
program areas as jobs become available dependent, of course, on meeting
job qualifications. Persons employed in jobs requiring minimum quali-
fications will be trained and promoted according to their demonstrated
abilities.
16. The City Planning Department and the Housing Authority will present
to the Planning and Development Committee of the Board of Aldermen a
proposed allocation of NDP moneys and activities by neighborhoods based
on available Federal funds and PAC recommendations and priorities, all
subject to approval of the City comptroller, Planning and Development
Committee, the mayor and Board of Aldermen and the Federal Government,
(see attached schedules A and B, exhibits E and F).
17. Structures in good condition will not be acquired unless their
location and retention is contrary to the Urban Renewal plans formulated
-l-
by the PAC and adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen after a public
hearing. The plan will designate good structures for rehabilitation.
18. Home owners can be told now whether their houses are subject to
rehabilitation or clearance as determined by the plans prepared by the
PAC and their planning consultants. However, it is important to differ-
entiate whether rehabilitation or clearance will take place in 1970 or a
subsequent year and also to know that the plans are not final until
approved by the City and the Federal Government.
The PAC has established a priority of activities to be undertaken in 1970
with clearance to begin in area 35, then area 3), etc. A specific area
must also be veer res for rehabilitation by the PAC if this is your
desire.
19. In my letter to Mr. Laws on December lL, 1969 I indicated that, to
the extent feasible, the Housing Authority will carry out the objectives
of the PAC, ie., complete the clearance and redevelopment of area 35
before beginning acquisition in area 3h. A determination must be made
about this particular sequence of areas as to whether it is practicable
and possible from the standpoint of street access, utilities, and con-
struction of the residential units.
It will be virtually impossible to acquire property, relocate families,
demolish buildings, install necessary improvements, sell the land to
private enterprise and to construct and complete housing short of a year,
which means that property acquisition of the second area will probably
- not occur in the initial NDP year. It is simply a question of the
time involved to complete each activity in sequence in accordance with
applicable state and Federal regulations. We will explore with the PAC
the most feasible way to proceed, and concur with the PAC that families
to be displaced from the initial clearance area should be kept to a
minimum and every effort must be made to provide an opportunity for each
family to remain in the area.
In summary, we hope that this response adequately answers the questions
posed at the November 21, 1969 meeting. We want to assure the PAC and
all residents of the Vine City community of the commitment of the Atlanta
Housing Authority to a meaningful involvement of area residents in the
planning and execution of all Urban Renewal activities to be undertaken
in Vine City. The Housing Authority solicits the continued cooperation
of the PAC as we work together to make Vine City an outstanding resi-
dential area of Atlanta.
Enclosures.
Comments