U-Matic

Ambassador Bridge Area Redevelopment Press Conf. 1-30-91
Victoria Palce Redevelopment 4-19-91

U-Matic tape containing footage of two press conferences--the first for the signing of an agreement between several parties concerning the expansion of the Ambassador Bridge plaza and the development of the surrounding neighborhood held on January 30, 1991, and the second about the Victoria Park development in Jefferson-Chalmers, held on April 19, 1991. Mayor Coleman A. Young presides over both presentations.

The tape opens with Mayor Young approaching the podium before the start of the January 30, 1991 press conference concerning the redevelopment of the area surronding the Ambassafor Bridge plaza. The mayor opens the event by talking about both the needs of the community and the importance of improving access to the bridge. He then introduces the individuals who will be signing and witnessing the agreement between the two parties--Father Lawrence Carney, associate pasteur at Ste. Anne de Detroit and chairperson of the Hubbard-Richard Citizens District Council; Sally Rendon, president of the Hubbard-Richard Community Council; Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Company; and Harry Gordon, district director of the Northern Division of the Public Building Service of the United States General Services Administration; and Kathy Wendler, the president of the Mexicantown Commercial Development Corporation.

Mayor Young then explains the terms of the agreement--the construction of 58 rental housing units by the Detroit International Bridge Company, the creation of a non-profit corporation to handle in-fill housing, the availabiity of mortage funding for applicants, the construction of Fiesta Garden on Bagley Street, and the establishment zoning for several uses including a new Wayne County Welcome Center.

Young the introduces the agreement's participants to each make remarks. First Father Carney talks about the community's diversity and the new certainty for the community's future following years of doubt. Isabel Wilson, president of the Hubbard Richard Community Council. then tells people who have moved from the community to come back, and invites new people to move in as well. Next, Sally Rendon thanks the city. Dan Stamper then talks about his company's investment in new and in-fill housing, and increased efficency in using the bridge

Next, the first of the series of agreements is signed on camera by Stamper, Carney, Wilson, and Wendler. The mayor then signs as a witness, as does Louis Smith, executive director of Hubbard-Richard Community District Council; Susan Perez, also of the Huibbard Richard Community District Council; and Rendon.

Young then speaks again, this time the importance of preserving the intergrity of a community while building new facilities--he relates the situation to Black Bottom's demolition, and the recent Elmwood developments.

Young then opens the floor to questions. First Rendon responds to question about the plans for Fiesta Gardens (on the south side of Bagley Street between 20th Street and 21st Street). She referres to a a rendering of the finished site. Louis Smith, administrator for the Hubbard-Richard Citizen's District Council, then fields a question about the in-fill housing, which he explains are aimed at re-settling people who are returning to the neighborhood. Smith is also asked about a past complaint he filed about blockbusting in the neighborhood, which he says he will withdraw. Young is then asked about the firebombing of a Jordanian-owned store, and whether Young called in the National Guard into the city. He replies that the Guard is for protecting the tunnel and the bridge, and not patrioling the streets, and that he did not request such. Young continues that the police need financial support from the state and federal governments, decrys violence against Arab-Americans, and also talks about increased security at City Airport called for by the Federal Aviation Administration. Young then retorts that he resents a question about whether Detroit Police Department Chief William Hart has submitted a resignation. He is also asked if Comerica will stay in Detroit. He says he hopes actions taken by City Council haven't driven them out. When asked for his reaction to President' George Bush's state of the union address, Young replies that domestic issues are being ignored, and questions spending on the Gulf War. He also relates Governor John Engler's budget cuts to it as well. Finally Young is aked about how many police officers are being called into active duty in Desert Storm.

Following a very brief cut, footage begins of the April 19, 1991 press conference about the Victoria Park development. This segment begins with Young already behind the podium. He announces that Detroit will host the 1992 Home-A-Rama in Jefferson-Chalmers showcasing the Victoria Park development. He explains that the development is composed of affordable, single-family housing and that the Home-A-Rama will be the first in a major city.

Young then introduces Thomas Ricketts, the CEO of Standard Federal Bank; Jim Bonadio, president of the builder's association; Frederick Hash, the community investment officer of Indianopolis bank; and Agnes Williams, president of Jefferson-Chalmers Community District Council.

Young then contrasts this press conference with one held the previous day about Hilton's plans to build on the site of Ford Auditorium, as being a example that developments are happening in the neighborhoods, rather than just downtown. He uses this sentiment to take a jab at the press.

Tom Ricketts speaks next. He recognizes several of his collegues in the room, and expresses excitement for his company's involvement in the project. Next, Bonadio speaks. He recognizes his board of directors, talks about the project, then reflects on the other annoucements that week--a light industrial area coupled with plans for Tiger Stadium, and the announcment concerning the Hilton Hotel on the riverfront. Then Hash speaks. he discusses his bank's previous commitments toward affordable housing, and the level of assistance planned for this project. Finally Williams briefly addresses the group.she mentions other projects occuring in the area.

Mayor Young then talks about other eastside developments--the
Young talks about eastside developments--Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant, and the expansion of City Airport, and the New Town development.

The mayor then opens the floor to questions "on the matter at hand." Ricketts is asked about the affordability of the housing. Young is then asked about delays in the project by a reporter who mentions an August 30, 1989 groundbreaking on the same project. Finally the mayor is asked about the dealing regarding Tiger Stadium. In reference to Detroit Tigers president Bo Schembechler, he invokes Nike's slogan, "Bo Knows."

The video is on a 3M UCA 60 U-Matic tape with a handwritten 3M label. The tape is housed in a black plastic latching case with a matching label on in its cover.