Harlem State Office Building construction and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), 1969 or 1970
Scope and Contents
Interviews conducted by Kent for publication in print media. Most interviews are the source audio recordings. For a few, transcriptions or drafts of the published article are also included, where noted. See also the clippings of Kent's published works for published interviews.
Dates
- Creation: 1969 or 1970
Creator
- From the Collection: Kent, Leticia (Leticia Jane), 1928-1999 (Person)
Historical Note
The Herlem State Office Building (later the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building) was proposed in 1966 by the Governor of New York State, Nelson Rockefeller, as the beginning of a project to redevelope Harlem. It was designed by the Black-owned architectural firm of Ifill Johnson Hanchard. In 1969-1970, protests against the racial makeup of the construction contractors and the relationship of the building complex to the Harlem community halted construction. In early 1970, the state's Urban Development Corporation worked with community groups to create a version of the project that would allow construction to go forward. Construction resumed and building was completed in 1973. At its 1974 dedication, it was both heralded as a triumph and criticized as a token of change without real impact.
Source:
Hunter, Charlayne. "Harlem Building Fight Ebbs." New York Times, April 16, 1970.
Hunter, Charlayne. "State Office Building in Harlem is Dedicated." New York Times, May 21, 1974.
Partial Extent
From the Series: 3 Linear Feet (4 containers)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com