Dublin Core
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
EOWIN L. STERNE 4
CHAIRMAN Yh fu
a ,fyr
GEORGE S. CRAFT / .
VICE CHAIRMAN / :
M. 8. SATTERFIELD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
LESTER H, PERSELLS
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CARLTON GARRETT
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
J. B. BLAYTON GILBERT H, BOGGS
. DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
FRANK G. ETHERIDGE
HOWARD OPENSHAW
JACK F. GLENN DIRECTOR OF REDEVELOPMENT
824 HURT BUILDING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
JACKSON 3-6074
GEORGE R. SANDER
January 21, 1969
Mr. John T. Edmunds
Assistant Regional Administrator
for Renewal Assistance
Department of Housing and Urban Development
615 Peachtree-Seventh Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30323
Re: Project Ga. ReLO
Rawson-Washington Urban Redevelopment Area
Project Closeout
Dear Mr. Edmunds:
As you know, it is the intent of the Housing Authority and the City of
Atlanta to complete all activities in the above mentioned project and
achieve project closeout at the earliest possible date. We are, theefore,
attempting to clear up all those matters which might delay the closing
of this Project.
One of the problems which may effect project closeout involves that area
of the project lying along Georgia Avenue immediately south of the Stadiun.
We have attached a map showing the area in question,which is bounded by
Georgia Avenue, Capitol Avenue, Bass Street and Washington Street, and
Jies partially within Project GA.R-10 and partially within Project NDP A-2-3.
Project GA. R-lO illustrates many of the reasons that the NDP epproach %to
renewal activities is wise. The original Urban Renewal Plan for this project
included milti-family housing for the area now occupied by the Atlanta Stadiun.
With that lend use in mind, it was contemplated that the proper land uses for
the area immediately south of Georgia Avenue would be for retail commercial
uses compatible with a relatively high density residential area. Since the
Atlanta Stadium has been completed, the ccommercial land use originally con-
templated no longer is achievable. Possible developers have expressed no
interest in carrying out the redevelopment as originally proposed. The new
Land Use Flan of the City contemplates conmercial, reuse for this entire area
of a type properly related to the neighboring Stadium. With this in mind,
the Housing Authority, at the direction of the City, wishes to assemble the
entire area bounded by the above listed four streets into one tract of land,
which would then be offered for redevelopment. This would contemplate closing
on? an
Crew Street between Georgia Avenue and Bass Street. Bass Street west of
Washington Street has been widened to serve its logical use as a connector
to the South Expressuay. The City's Land-Use Plan provides for the widening
of Bass Street between Washington Street and Capitol Avenue so that it can
properly serve its role as a traffic artery.
On December 31, 1968, Part I of Amendment Nine to Georgia R-10 was submitted
to your office. This Amendment provides for the acquisition and assembly of
all of the land in the subject area lying within Project GA. R-10. Already
approved for acquisition is that portion of the subject area lying within
Project NDP GA. A-2-3.
In order to carry out the objectives of the City and to provide for the early
closeout of Project GA. R-10, we recommend that the following actions be taken:
(1) Amendment Nine to Project GA. R-10 involving a Federal Capital Grant
of $479,760.00 and a Relocation Grant of $33,580.00 be approved as
soon as possible.
(2) As soon as Amendment Nine has been approved, that the area,together
with the Federal and local financing,be transferred to the NDP.
This transfer would not involve a net change in Federal Capital
Grant since the amounts transferred from one project to the other
would be equal. In fact, such a transfer might result in some
minor decreases due to possible savings in interest and adminis-
‘trative costs.
(3) As soon as the land can be assembled into one Urban Renewal activity,
as recommended above, the necessary surveys and appraisals be made,
and the entire supver-block be offered for sale. An offering of this
type probably should be advertised for at least six months. After
the award, the developer probably would need 12 + 18 months to obtain
leases, prepare plans, and specifications, and to arrange financing.
It will, therefore, be approximately two years. before construction
can start on this development.
At the present time, the Model Cities office is located in a movable building
on a small portion of this site. The Model Cities Plan, as currently approved,
contemplates additional relocatable structures in this area to furnish needed
office space. The building now located here and others contemplated are
occupying land held under lease with a 30-day Cancellation Clause. It is
contemplated that prior to the time construction could start on a permanent
redevelopment the Model Cities Office structures would be relocated elsewhere.
Such a move is relatively inexpensive and would consume very little
time.
It is our hope that you will carefully consider all the factors out-
lined above, and if possible, will concur in our recommendation.
It is our sincere belief that the foregoing affords the best method
of achieving an orderly redevelopment of this area and an early
closeout of Project GA. Rel10.
Sincerely yours, ay '
Lester H. Persells
Associate Executive Director
Enclosure
ec: Mr. Earl Metzger
MCP = HUD ~ Room 852
Mr. Rodney M. Cook
Mr. Charles Davis
Mr. Collier Gladin
Mr. Earl Landers