HACA - Community improver, November 1966, Vol. 8

University of North Carolina at Asheville D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections/University Archives Register for: The Community Improver November 1966 Vol. VII
The Community Improver, November 1966 Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, UNCA
Title	The Community Improver November 1966 Vol. VII
Alt. Title	"The Community Improver November 1966"
Identifier	http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/housing_authority_city_asheville/series_01_admin_files/community_improvers/08_ november_1966/default_community_improver_november_1966.htm
Creator	Redevelopment Commission of the City of Asheville
Alt Creator	Housing Authority of the City of Asheville -- NC R-48 East Riverside Urban Renewal Project
Subject Keyword	Asheville, NC ; Aston Park ; Black Street ; city planning ; civic improvement ; East Riverside Renewal Project ; East Riverside Urban Renewal Project ; Edgerton, Tom ; Fagg Street ; fire department ; fire hazard ; fires ; housing ; Housing Authority of the City of Asheville ; 86 Livingston Street ; low-interest long-term loan ; modernization ; Nasty Branch ; Neighborhood Center of the Opportunity Corporation ; Opportunity Corporation Field Office ; public housing ; redevelopment ; Redevelopment Commission of the City of Asheville ; rehabilitation ; reimbursement ; relocation ; Relocation Office ; relocation payment ; Roland, W. E. ; Tom Edgerton ; urban planning ; urban renewal ; W. E. Roland ;
Subject LCSH	City planning -- North Carolina -- Asheville City planning -- United States -- Asheville (N.C.) Asheville (N.C.) -- Planning Civic improvement -- North Carolina -- Asheville Urban renewal -- North Carolina -- Asheville Asheville (N.C.) -- Urban renewal Urban renewal -- United States -- Case studies Federal aid to community development Urban renewal -- United States -- Finance Housing -- North Carolina -- Asheville Relocation (Housing) – North Carolina – Asheville Fires -- North Carolina -- Asheville Public welfare -- North Carolina -- Asheville Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Date	1966
Publisher	Redevelopment Commission of the City of Asheville
Contributor	Housing Authority of the City of Asheville
Type	text ; illustrations
Format	Newsletter 7 1/4 " 8 1/2" ; illus.
Source	D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, Manuscript Collections M2007.12.1
Language	English
Relation	Is part of: Asheville Model City Records, Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, UNCA ; Housing Authority of the City of Asheville ..., D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, UNCA.
Coverage	1966: Asheville, N.C.
Rights	Any display, publication or public use must credit D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville. Copyright retained by the authors of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor	Donor 310 ; City of Asheville, NC.
Description	This issue of The Community Improver begins by discussing the rehabilitation aspect of urban renewal. It explains several options for funding that exist, and assures people interested that “owners who repair can be sure they will not be alone in fixing up their houses. Their neighbors will all be involved, too. This will improve the whole block. It will make property values go up much more than if only one person made improvements and repairs.” The newsletter also addressed the clean-up of “Nasty Branch.” The bulk of the newsletter is devoted to the story of the Tom Edgerton house fire and the increased risk of fire in East Riverside. Bad wiring and careless smoking are the two main causes of house fires in this area, and dry, un-maintained wood framing also contributes to the problem. An update is given on the work on East Riverside renewal since the closing of the Relocation Office on 86 Livingston Street. The closing article offers information for people whose homes have been bought by the Housing Authority for the urban renewal project. These people are encouraged to contact the Redevelopment Commission to see if they are eligible for relocation payments and help in defraying moving costs.
Acquisition	2007-
Citation	Housing Authority of the City of Asheville Records, "The Community Improver November 1966," D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville
Processed by	Special Collections staff 2008
Last update	2008-05-06
CONTEXT

PAGE	DESCRIPTION	THUMBNAIL
The Community Improver, November 1966 -- FULL TEXT
1	NOVEMBER, 1966 VOL. VIII Asheville is on the move... Progress Through Community Effort Rehabilitation Commission Phones: 252-1114 and 252-0839 THE COMMUNITY IMPROVER WHAT ABOUT REHAB? Urban renewal will provide an excellent chance for many in East Riverside to rehabilitate their homes. A great number of people have wanted to fix that leaking roof, add screens, brace the sagging porch, or do some other repair job around the house that has been needing attention for some time. But they have not done these things for several reasons — no money, no time, or "just haven't gotten around to it." When funds are approved for the East Riverside Urban Renewal Program, owners of these houses that can be rehabilitated (improved to meet the standards of the housing code) will have the advantage of expert architectural and financial planning. Many owners will be eligible for very low-interest (3 %) long-term (up to 20 years) loans to improve their properties. A few owners may apply for and get a grant for this work, if there is no other way to have it done. Another thing — owners who repair can be sure that they will not be alone in fixing up their houses. Their neighbors will all be involved, too. This will improve the whole block. It will make property values go up much more than if only one person made improvements and repairs. <-- This dirty little stream is known generally as "Nasty Branch." It is full of filth, germs, old beer cans, bottles, innerspring mattresses, discarded refrigerators, junk sofas, old tires, rusting pieces of tin, scrap lumber, and a little water (very dirty water). Nasty Branch runs the length of the East Riverside Project area, and then goes across and runs up most of the other side. Nobody likes Nasty Branch except mosquitos, rats, and disease germs. Chickens and dogs sometimes drink the water, but it is only when they get very thirsty. We don't think the people of East Riverside like this kind of stream running through their neighborhood. It is not good for children to play in, or for animals to drink out of, or people to look at — like it is now. As a part of the Urban Renewal Program for the East Riverside Area, Nasty Branch will change a lot. All of the beer cans and old tires and everything except the water will be taken out. When Urban Renewal gets through with Nasty Branch, we think people will want to call it something else — like "Clearwater Stream," or "Crystal Creek".
2	The fire has just started... [caption] In this fire, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Edgerton lost their house and many belongings including the clothes of their three girls, ages 8, 5, and 4. Fire is one of the dangers of the East Riverside area. The fire rate in this area has been climbing steadily and it looks like it could get even worse if something is not done about the things that cause fires. Among the main causes have been bad wiring and careless smoking. Old, frayed wiring that was installed before many heavy appliances were used cannot handle the extra loads it is used for nowadays. This wiring overheats and starts fires. The second greatest cause of fire in ...but it catches rapidly. [caption] In a few seconds it is blazing...[caption] East Riverside is careless smoking and smoking in bed. This would not be as dangerous as it is if it were not for the condition of many of the frame houses in this area. These houses are old — the wood is dried out and uncared for. They are just like kindling waiting for a spark. Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton were lucky. Their three children had already gone to their grandmother's house when the fire started. Mrs. Edgerton and her father-in-law, who was in the house with her, were able to get out safely. They were also lucky in having many good friends and neighbors who were willing to pitch in and help them ...and this is what the firemen face. [caption]
3	They begin to beat back the flames. [caption] with extra clothing, with furniture, and with a place to stay until something could be found. The Relocation Office of the Redevelopment Commission and the Neighborhood Center of the Opportunity Corporation have given help. Things could have been much worse for the Edgertons. They are all alive and they have friends — some they didn't know they had. But fire is always tragic. It always leaves a ruin. There are always losses — some that can never be replaced. Again we ask you — be careful. Another hose arrives to finish the job. [caption] The last flames are put out. [caption] It has been several days now since the fire on Fagg Street occurred. It will become just another number in the files of the fire Department. All of the many fires that have happened in East Riverside—some of them have claimed lives—are now just a part of the rising statistics that are kept on file. The Edgertons won't need a file to remember this fire. Many like the Edgertons have tragic memories of fire. But this story has a happy ending. Since the fire, Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton have moved into another house. They have received help from many friends. They are very grateful to be able to thank all the many people who have shown their friendship. The frame is still standing, but the house is ruined. [caption]
4	WORK GOES ON IN EAST RIVERSIDE East Riverside is still buzzing with activity. The Redevelopment Commission has not shut down this program, it has only temporarily suspended the use of the 86 Livingston Street Rehab Office. (The Opportunity Corporation Field Office is located there now. Mr. Roland, formerly of the Redevelopment Commission, heads that office). But the East Riverside Program is still in planning. Part of this planning involves appraisals. A local firm is making the appraisals in the area to try to find out the value of property. We ask for your cooperation. The men who are doing this job for East Riverside will carry identification that will state their business. If they call on you, ask them for this identification. If they can prove they are working for the Redevelopment Commission, we ask you to give them all the help you can. These men will need to see the inside of the properties they inspect. Remember, the work for Urban Renewal has not stopped. Thank you for your help and interest. HELP FOR MOVERS The Redevelopment Commission is the official agency of relocation for the Housing Authority in Asheville. This means that those people near Aston Park and the Black Street area whose houses are being bought by the Housing Authority can look forward to getting help from the Redevelopment Commission in finding a place to live and in moving. As in moves due to urban renewal, the moving expenses of these people will be paid up to a certain limit. Also, these people may be eligible for other relocation payments. If you have moved since August 31, 1966, you may be eligible for certain relocation payments from the Redevelopment Commission. Several qualifications must be met, and you should contact the Redevelopment Commission if you have moved to see if any payments are due you. If you have moved since June 30, 1966, because the house you were living in was bought by the Housing Authority, you may be eligible for certain payments. If you think you qualify, get in touch with the Redevelopment Commission and find out. Redevelopment Commission of The City of Asheville P. 0. Box 7148 604 City Building Asheville, N. C. 28807
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The Community Improver, November 1966 Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, UNCA

The Community Improver, November 1966
Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, UNCA