Record Details

Development of proceedings for an urban renewal project : the Esther Short project

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Development of proceedings for an urban renewal project : the Esther Short project
Names Merrill, John Russell (creator)
Guy, George V. (advisor)
Date Issued 1964-08 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1965
Abstract Urban centers, in part, are in the process of deterioration. Consequently, land values in these areas, both
in dollars and in contribution to the community, remain
dormant or depressed. There seems little doubt that
there will be greater pressure for urban land. Urban renewal is one method of returning deteriorated urban areas
into production for the community.
This thesis reviews the development of urban renewal
and the urban renewal process as it has been established
by the federal government, and gives an intensive case
study of an urban renewal project that is under way. The
project reviewed is the Esther Short Project development
in Vancouver, Washington. By tracing the Esther Short
Project development, a proceeding is established that may
be used as a guide for other projects. The principal federal law authorizing federal assistance
to slum clearance and urban renewal is Title I of the
Housing Act of 1949 as amended, Public Law 171, 81st
Congress, approved July 15, 1949. Many legislative
battles took place prior to 1949 as different housing bills
were presented. As the Housing Act has been amended in
the years since its adoption in 1949, the trend has
seemed to be that the amendments lean towards providing
greater federal benefits and more local discretion in the
urban renewal programs.
Tttle I urban renewal is a program under which the
federal government and cities go into partnership with
private enterprise to undertake urban renewal. In
establishlng an urban renewal program, certain requirements
are set forth in the Housing Act and by the Urban
Renewal Administration. The workable program is the major
requirement set forth for the community. The workable
program is a means by which cities are required to set
forth and undertake and evaluate programs for community
betterment. Once the city's workable program is approved by the federal government, the project can be initiated.
The city of Vancouver, Washington, prepared a workable
program that was approved by the federal government
and then initiated the Esther Short project. The area
selected, for the project was built up with many deteriorated
and dilapidated buildings. Property in the area was used for a variety of different establishments intermingling
among the dwellings. The project was proposed to
be for light industrial redevelopment. The area is
located adjacent to the central businesses and an existing
industrial area. The city was designated as the local
agency responsible for the project, and created a city
department of urban renewal for administrative control.
The project, generally, followed the course established
for such endeavors. A citizens committee was appointed
to work with the city staff on information and relocation.
Local standards were established to measure the extent
and degree of blight. The survey and planning, and loan
and grant applications were approved. Fixed prices were
established for purchasing property. Development standards
and minimum prices are being set for resale.
It is too early to assess the success or failure of
the Esther Short Project, since the land has not yet been
advertised for resale. The project is to the point of
being ready for land resale and has been well-handled thus
far. However, the real measure of success will be if the
relocatees have a better life in the long run, and the
available land in the project is rapidly developed as an industrial area.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Urban renewal -- Washington (State) -- Vancouver
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/48607

© Western Waters Digital Library - GWLA member projects - Designed by the J. Willard Marriott Library - Hosted by Oregon State University Libraries and Press