The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1955-01-15
City Council Conducts
Series OF Hearings
For Both Proponents
And Opponents

The City Council is holding public heaings on the
details of the proposed su clearance project this week
TUESDAY nght the Roanoke Redevelopment and Public
Housing Authority answered questions before hacked
chamber. The questions, for the most mart vver. ~.
swered by Richard Beck authority executive
Ihey conferred around what the ctys share of the mil
lion dollar project would be just how the affected
families (mostly Negro) would be treated in irving TO
find homes
Beck told the Council that he would bring estmat.
Cd cost figures to date which will show the citys
share offset by credits from installations in
street paving and schools Re- protection of fam
HES Mr. Beck stated the authority IS morally b,
gated to provide acceptable housing families forced
to vacate The authority, he said had selected the SO
acres In question because they offered the oppo1
tunity for redevelopment program which would prove
DeneIcia not only to the but to the entire city
would include two approaches Roanoke from the North
wednesday nights meeting was turned over largely,
TO the opponents of the project Goodykoontz as
sstant TO the executive director of c. of offered
proposal in which local groups could attack the problem
without aid from federal funds He stated that he was
not representing the Chamber of Commerce. but was
there as member of citizens group which had discussed
the entire program 1t also his opinion that other
sections needed the proposed help which seems
30 this area and that his group prepared to offer
workable plan His plan the formation of non-proft
organization to raise revolving fund that loans
may be made to persons who would normally be unahlc
to secure needed financing through regular channels
WlooWS peTSlOned couples welfare and disabled
sons who own homes but have income with which til
repay loan would be included
According to Becks cost estimate on the basis IF
$50 percent increase in cost since 1863 the estimate
showed that the city would have make an investment
OF S539981 in improvements to get credits calculated on
present as we'll future improvements This was the
report requested of Mr. Beck Wednesdays session by
City Council.
The Real Estate Board representatives were then
heard r. Quick the first one, stated that the position
OF the board not selfish Such interest would per-
init us to along with the Authority because we would
find most of the residents coming to us for help poll
he also stated had been taken of 81 members of the
board and that only five owned dwellings in that area
Summation of his remarks that there are 200 dwell
ings listed for sale for Negroes but for those in this
specific the market price is too high That 435 farm
lilies would be Inconvenience and that there was no
guarantee that the city spending would stop at $3.50
He also suggested strengthening the hygenc sanitary
and housing ordinance.
D. D. Boswell, the other spokesman, felt that the
plan is duplication of that of Baltimore and PhiIadel
phia and that it would not fit the Roanoke situation
On Thursday night the residents of the effected aroe
were heard The public hearings will end Friday evening"
with any interested individuals or groups being given
opportunity to voice their views be they opponents
or proponents of the issue.