Figure B-16: Photo of the CRISIS House on Vernon Street in Buttermilk Bottom Courtesy of Rev. Edward Ducree
WHERE DID THE PEOPLE GO [W]e must consider the legacy of placemaking–and what the word ‘place’ truly means for Black Americans. 223 ”~ Dr. Destiny Thomas
“I think Atlanta has a good urban renewal program. It’s really good if what you want is city beautification. The auditorium is nice, but what does it do for the people?” 224 ~ unidentified city employee The residents of Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street did not want to move; instead of a civic auditorium, residents wanted a “decent place to live” notes Mrs. Catherine Grant. 225 Dr. John D. Reid, a Sociology professor at Atlanta University, said that in Atlanta, urban renewal disproportionately targeted the removal of Black residents more than any other ethnic or racial group. 226 Despite the residents’ urgent need for better living conditions, it was clear that the primary goal of urban renewal by city leaders were to turn the land into “profitable financial investment[s]”. 227 The city’s leaders failed to change the material realities of Black residents and “racial intolerance” was unchallenged. This was evident in the fact that land developed for Black Atlantans were often relegated to remote, unplanned locations near environmentally hazardous areas, and away from the central business district. Thompson, Executive Director of the Atlanta Urban League stated that the city leaders
223 Kea Wilson, “Urbanism is Complicit in Infra -Structural Racism – and Reparations Have a Place in the Built Environment.”, Streets Blog USA, July 27, 2020.
224 Hanauer, “Negro Removal”. 225 Hanauer, “Negro Removal”.
226 “Implications of Relocation Under Urban Renewal Outlined,” Atlanta Daily World, March 25, 1962. 227 Barbara Milz, “First Bids Soon Will Test Worth of Urban Renewal”, The Atlanta Constitution , November 21, 1960.
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