Justifications for and concerns about urban renewal
Bailey describes his belief in the justification of urban renewal projects, but also shares his concerns that such projects can benefit corporate interests. He and other Charlotteans were worried that one such project disproportionately benefited the Belk family.
Citing this Excerpt
Oral History Interview with Allen Bailey, [date unknown]. Interview B-0066. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) in the Southern Oral History Program Collection, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Full Text of the Excerpt
What was your stand
on urban renewal? Were you in favor?
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
Yes. I felt like that . . . the urban renewal program had something to
offer to the cities, and here is where individual property rights and
the overall need of the cities and the welfare of the community as a
whole came into conflict. But, so where that happens, one or the other
has to give and here I saw the overall good to the city outweighing the
individual right of property ownership. So I support it and do support
urban renewal, urban renewal projects. Not on a . . . I mean in
situations in which there's a real need for rebuilding and restructuring
the city and a community . . .
- BILL MOYE:
-
What about the use for downtown commercial redevelopment?
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
Well, I think here we get into a grayer area. I think a lot of the people
in our city have felt that here individuals or individual corporations
have prospered as a result of the downtown urban renewal projects that
are proposed and have been undertaken. But I suppose that this would be
true in any city where you have an urban renewal project in the downtown
area. Some businesses that have remained there would
be benefitted. So I don't know if this is a real objectionable feature.
I . . . there may possibly have been conflicts within our city . . .
those in political positions and some of the urban renewal projects
downtown . . . I think that may be what has caused some of the
complaints . . .
- BILL MOYE:
-
One group wants a certain thing done and maybe another group wants
another thing done, ah, something along that line . . . where the civic
center should be, and things along that line?
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
Yes. Yes. Right.
- BILL MOYE:
-
I reckon you find that most . . .
- ALLEN BAILEY:
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You find that most . . . most places. Like I say, the thing that our
people have complained about or have recently complained about it, some
probably to a greater degree than ordinarily would be the case is that
some of the people who have benefitted downtown are in the political
structure.
- BILL MOYE:
-
Is this, when you say the political structure . . . are we talking about,
say, the Belks?
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
Oh, yeah. You're talking about the Belks basically. I think that's what
the basic complaint is.
- BILL MOYE:
-
Do you . . . I mean, do you think that one reason that John Belk is in
the political process is in order to . . . or do you think this sort of
comes as a part of . . .
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
I think it's probably twofold. I think it would naturally come as a
result of urban renewal projects. The Belks are so totally financially
in the city in so many different ways until I think that any program of
upgrading will of course increase their interest, enhance their
interest. I think also that they're not blind to the fact that being in
public office gives one an opportunity to feather his own nest to a
certain degree. I do not say that that's the reason for John's being in
political office. I think that he honestly and sincerely
thinks that he has some time and ability to give and
Charlotte has been good to him and he has given a lot. Any mayor of the
city of Charlotte sacrifices a lot.
- BILL MOYE:
-
Takes a lot of time . . .
- ALLEN BAILEY:
-
Takes a lot of time. I have to say that the mayor has been most diligent
in that respect.
- BILL MOYE:
-
They have so many interests that it's almost impossible to do anything in
Charlotte . . .