U-Matic

Virginia Park Meadows Ground Breaking, 9-15-90

U-Matic tape containing footage of the ground breaking ceremony for the Virginia Park Meadows senior housing development at 2021 Blaine Street, on September 15, 1990.

The video begins with the sounds of construction equipment over a test pattern, before giving way to a show of the Virginia Park Meadows banner over the event's stage, with construction equipment in the background. The camera also captures the project's sign, and shots of the crowd and speakers gathering.

Dr. Claud Young, the event's master of ceremonies, then takes the podium to make some comments about the threat of rain. He introduces Rev. Lucias Mitcham of New St. Peter Baptist Church, who provides the opening invocation. After a brief introduction, Dr. Young recognizes Dr. Alma George, president of the National Medical Association, then calls developer Thomas Runquist to speak. Runquist talks about the project's financing, lists some of the project's other participants, and talks about gaining the support of Mayor Young and the City Council. Runquist is followed by Frank Cibor of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's Detroit office, who gives a brief speech. Ron Sinclair, the executive vice president of First Federal of Michigan, is next. He is followed by James C. Williams, president of the community's Citizens' District Council. He mentions other recent developments in the area. Gertrude Paul, also of the Citizens District Council takes the podium next. City councilman Nicholas Hood briefly speaks next; he plays off citizens band radio interference over the microphone as a joke. He is followed by the lead developer Melvin Washington.

Dr. Young then introduces his cousin, Mayor Coleman Young. Mayor Young refers to the area as "12th Street," discusses the other new projects in the neighborhood, and talks about his early pledge to rebuild the area in the wake of the events of 1967. Mayor Young also continues Dr. Young and Hood's joking about the radio interference. Dr. Young, Paul, Mayor Young, and another woman then ceremonially break the ground and pose for photos, as Rev. Robert Smith of New Bethel Baptist Church provides a closing prayer.

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 case with a handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information label on its cover.