U-Matic
CAY at Alexander Young Bldg Groundbreaking
7/13/89
Tape 1
U-Matic tape containing the first portion of a recording of the press conference announcing the redevelopment of the Alexander Young Terrace Apartments at 457 East Kirby Street in the Art Centre neighborhood, which was formerly occupied by the Great Lakes Mutual Life Insurance Company. The stage and podium are set up beneath a park shelter, presumably in Peck Park. The event is attended by master of ceremonies Jackie Holloway, Mayor Coleman Young, Art Centre Citizens District Council administrator Wright Mitchell, Buxton Management Company president Robert Rhue, City Planner Hilanius H. Phillips, Buxton Management Company consultant Ken Roberts, and State Senator David S. Holmes. The recording is continued on tape 2015.008.094.
Holloway first introduces Wright Mitchell, who briefly expresses joy about saving a building which was threatened with demolition. She then introduces Robert Rhue of Buxton Management Company. Rhue first recognizes several Buxton employees seated on stage. He then briefly explains the significance of the company's namesake, North Buxton, Ontario, a destination for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad.
The master of ceremonies then introduces Hilanius H. Phillips, who provides historical background on the property. He discusses the importance of preserving historic structures, the significance of Detroit in the wider picture of African American history, the important figures who lived in the Great Lakes Mutual Life Insurance Building. He also promotes an exhibit about the Great Lakes Mutual Life Insurance Company on display at 609 East Kirby Street.
Ken Roberts, a consultant for the Buxton Management Company, is then called to the podium by Holloway. He discusses a partnership between the company and the City of Detroit's Economic Redevelopment Program to renovate abandoned and vacant buildings. He is followed by State Senator David S. Holmes. He reminisces about police stopping African Americans who crossed over from Black Bottom into the neighborhood now known as the Art Centre, and talks about the district council system he set up with Coleman Young. He also references to the question as to whether Young will run for re-election.
He is followed by Mayor Coleman A. Young. The mayor mentions his past as an insurance salesman for Great Lakes Mutual. He also mentions the new neighboring African American History Museum. He also refutes recent negative Detroit Free Press stories about the viability of Detroit residences for renovation, and specifically criticizes television news anchor Bill Bonds. Young also talks about other development plans around the city.
Holloway then bring Ken Roberts back to the podium to recognize several of the other participants in the renovation project who are seated in the crowd. The recording ends during this speech.
The video is on a 3M UCA-30s U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching clamshell case with a handwritten 3M label on the cover.
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U-Matic
CAY at Alexander Young Bldg Groundbreaking
7/13/89
Tape 2
