Decision for a City
Decision for a City
The 1961 National Housing Act in action. Urban renewal of central business districts for City Planning Association. Promotional film on their behalf.
Decision for a City
FI l/a TLS Stouffer's building in downtown Chicago, tilt down to street scene (auto traffic and pedestrians in Loop). Dissolve to great h/a shot of Chicago Sun-Times & Daily News building, pan to Marina City Towers nearing completion of construction; tilt up Towers to scaffolding at top, zoom in. Diss to panning MS of pedestrians, auto traffic & stores (Walgreens, Woolworths) along State Street, downtown Chicago-- dig those old buses. Diss to excellent EST shot of old McDonald's restaurant franchise w/ cars parked beside large sign & futuristic building; pan L to downtown Elkhart, IN-- not so dynamic; small town. Panning shot small town business district, zoom in to For Rent sign in storefront window. TLS old Mobil gas station, pan left to intersection, traffic in small town. TLS small town house, American flag flying out front; zoom in to 2 old Caucasian men sitting on porch and talking. Panning TLSs suburban homes in suburban tracts, white folks outside them. Panning TLS strip mall at night, neon signs for Krogers & Goldblatts; cars parked in parking lot. TLS small town business district, big bulky bulbous American cars pulling from spots facing storefronts, veering into traffic. TLS old Caucasian man walking past building for rent, then by lunch counter cluttered w/ signs for Pepsi-Cola; pan to abandoned stores. Panning TLS upscale business district on the mend, passing corner building for rent, stopping at city worker kneeling by manhole.
Decision for a City
MS sign at construction site: "Another Spartan Department Store is Coming". MS three decrepit arched windows, zoom out to TLS three story (abandoned) building "for sale or lease"; pan L down strip of jewelry stores. Graphic of National Housing Act of 1961 showing allocation of 2 bil for urban renewal, 1.4 bil for residential urban renewal & 600 mil for non-residential urban renewal. Diss to main titles: "DECISION FOR A CITY--Renewing the Central Business District". H/a shot of model of revitalized area. Zoom in to booklet, "Workable Program for Community Improvement", with its 7 goals, which are shown. CUs studies, zoning codes, plans, analysis, etc. Development Plans for Tere Haute & Hammond, IN; Greenfield, WI. Retail trade area drawing. Buchanan, MI budget.
Decision for a City
TLS Minkow's Shoes storefront, zoom in to Jim Brademas standing on sidewalk; he walks to entrance of adjacent (abandoned) building, records data onto clipboard. Graphic art showing organizational levels of urban renewal plans: Mayor to Local Public agency, etc., appear in an organizational chart. Other organizational plans of Mayor to Council to Urban Renewal to Director, et al.
Decision for a City
Finance plans shown in charts & graphic art; allotted shares in proportion to population. Graphic art shows local non-cash grants and aid items which can be funded through renewal programs: streets, sidewalks, street lights, sewer & water lines, etc. Panning TLS fire station, garage doors opening & fire trucks trucks coming out. Back to graphic of funded projects; a city hall is not eligible, and is Xed out.
Decision for a City
Panning TLS construction site in downtown; previous building has been demolished, crane removes debris. Program guide 7 (Citizen Participation) shown. Jim Brademas, city officials & concerned citizens attend an urban renewal meeting in Buffalo, NY. MS/CUs Buffalo Mayor (Chester Kowal?) chairing advisory committee meeting. Cover of Workable Program for Urban Renewal for Buffalo. MS/MCUs draftsmen making drafting plans at tables in office; one draftsman w/ his drawing for Joliet, IL. Land utilization booklet is flipped through. Approved stamp is stamped onto Joliet folder. MSs group at public hearing, individuals asking questions of panel; panning MS speakers table.
Decision for a City
Approved stamp is placed on title page of Loan & Grant Report. TLS tilt down on 16 story building to be restored-- says "Mayor's Row" on overhang; pan left across street to construction site, Greyhound bus station in BG (Chicago?). Community Renewal Program (CRP) folder. Neighborhood renewal plan. Map of area for proposed renewal. MS Jim & Tom Brademas, wearing black ties and white dress shirts, studing a plan in office as supervisors watch on. TLS two white male construction workers on roof of abandoned building, tearing off bricks & tossing them down. TLS five storey motel. TLSs old & new Elm City Plumbing Supply Co. buildings. Relocation process. Before & after shots of Edison Chemical Company, Gates Chevrolet. Nice TLS sign and storefront of Chevrolet car dealership.
Decision for a City
MS draftsmen at desk, circling an area on map. TLS road construction in small town. MS people on sidewalk in city, massive collection of confusing signs overhead. TLS people outside American Bank branch. MS white girl at drinking fountain on sidewalk. Panning TLS kids at playground in front of downtown stores. TLS outdoor pedestrian mall (looks like Ithaca). Industrial artwork of handsome and useful buildings. Panning TLSs parking lot behind stores in Michigan, cars in every space. EST shots old Robertson's store in South Bend, IN. TLS storefront under construction, tilt up to American flag. EST shots Gilbert's clothing store, before and after renewal efforts. Same with Wyman's. TLS Mina's highrise parking structure.
Decision for a City
Panning TLS landmark church. EST shot unidentified City Hall, Hoffman Hotel in BG. EST shot Elkhart Carnegie library, with new Martin library beside it. EST shot Flint, Michigan, City Hall & Civic Center. Zoom in on cluttered area, cut to new clean design. MS group in planning meeting. Model of a new downtown area. "A Healthy city in a healthy America".