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Summary of Situation re HUD's
Experimential Housing Project
July 15, 1968
April 22 - Mr. H. Ralph Taylor, Assistant Secretary of HUD, wrote
Mayor Allen explaining the proposed project and asked if Atlanta wished
to participate. The letter stated in part:
"These experiments will be carried out only in cities
which are willing to cooperate in the development of
innovative techniques aimed at generating a higher level
of housing construction for low-income families", and
"The Department will be committing not only substantial
research funds in this effort, but also tens of millions
of dollars of program funds from several program sources."
May 6 - Mayor Allen replied
definitely want Atlanta included
Experimental Housing project and
(Atlanta's application for Model
to Secretary Taylor, stating that we
among the cities to be selected for the
expresSing desire to cooperate fully.
Cities stated that Atlanta is prepared
to amend application of its codes and ordinances within the Model Cities
area aS appropriate.)
June 21 - Mayor Allen's letter of May 6 acknowledged by Secretary
Taylor, assuring that every possible consideration will be given Mayor
Allen's recommendation and he would be pleased to advise when final
decision is reached.
May 8 - Study team of ABT-DMJM (ABT Associates, Inc., and Daniel,
Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall) headed by Mr. Allan W. Cameron, visited
Atlanta. Initial conference was held with Dan Sweat. Remainder of day,
team was escorted about town by Malcolm Jones who made appointments with
key indivials as requested by team and accompanied team representatives
on visits. Team was provided all materials and records requested.
May 24-25 - Enlarged study team visited Atlanta. Dan Sweat's office
made appointments in advance with those requested and his office was
made available for use by the team. Malcolm Jones again escorted team
members about town and arranged for additional interviews and materials
requested.
May 27-28 - Malcolm Jones again assisted Mr. James B. Frisby,
team consultant, in obtaining additional materials desired.
Every possible courtesy was shown the team and complete cooperation
given its representatives by all concerned. The team expressed
satisfaction and pleasure re reception and coopewtion furnished in Atlanta
and indicated that Atlanta would have high priority in its recommendations.
June 18 - Mr. Frank Shakelford of Alston, Miller and Gaines wrote
to Senators Talmadge and Russell and to Representative Fletcher Thompson
requesting their assistance in getting ABT-DMJM selected as contractor
for Phase II and stating that Atlanta is one of the 15 cities selected.
(This reference to Atlanta appears to be premature and in error, since
the survey report was not due in HUD until June 15). All 3 recipients
of Shackelford's letter contacted the Secretary of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development in response to Shakelford's request.
July 2 - Shackelford wrote another letter to each of the above.
Members of Congress expressing distress over Atlanta not being included
in the 12 cities selected and requested that HUD be urged to reconsider
for selection of 15 instead of 12 cities and include Atlanta as one of
those to be added. Fletcher Thompson has written to Secretary Weaver
urging Such reconsideration, Action of Senators Russell and Talmadge
is not yet known.
(Apparently the basis of information on which Mr. Shakelford wrote
letters on July 2 requesting reconsideration by HUD and inclusion of
Atlanta in the list of selected cities) was result of telephone call from
Mr. Francis Green in Washington, whose law firm was engaged as General
Counsel by ABT-DMJM for its survey. Myr. Green accompanied the survey
team to Atlanta on its second visit and consulted with Alston, Miller and
Gaines at that time.
Summary
July 15, 1968
Page 2
According to reliable source, certain officials from Washington,
D.C., in position to know the inside story, passed through Atlanta
July 7 and advised a local person here interested in this project, that
Atlanta would probably not be included among the cities to be selected
for the Experimental Housing project because HUD was seeking cities
in which the building codes are not too restrictive.
2,
Malcolm D.
Housing Coe
MDJ/mac