The Redevelopment Housing and Clearance Authority and the City Planning Commission both have publicly admitted that the area mentioned as a Slum Clearance project in Northeast Roanoke is not the worst Slum area in the City.
It is further admitted by the Redevelopment Housing Authority that the properties in this area are to be bought at Slum prices, which are the lowest prices, and are to be sold back to the people at higher prices after being developed. Let no one fool you that this is an Even Exchange of properties; someone is going to lose in the exchange, and that someone will be the Negro property owners.
The people of Northeast are the lowest paid workers of our City. They have worked hard for three generations or more to acquire their homes, such as they may be, and to allow the law of Eminent Domain or any authority to displace them just isn’t right or just. The average property owner in Northeast is well over 53 yrs. old and not in any position to assume notes or indebtedness on a new home. If Council and the people of our City would consider themselves their Brother’s Keeper, and try this particular shoe on their foot to see where it pinches, “I am sure they would decide against the project.”
Next, I do not see the expediency in having the Federal Government to come into our City and do anything for us that we can do for ourselves, be we White or Black. The people of Northeast have made it known to our City Governmental Officers that they are willing and ready to abide by the City Hygiene and Health Ordinance, to bring Sub-Standard homes to Standard and sell the City necessary real estate to improve the highway approaching the new bridge.
In concluding, I am against this proposal, mainly for three reasons:
- It is not the worst Slum area.
- Someone stands to lose in the exchange of properties, and that someone is the Negro.
- Last, but not least, the people of Northeast do not want the Federal Government or any one else to do for them the things they can do for themselves.
