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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

Report on Urban Renewal Programs and Their Effects on Racial Minority Group Housing in Three Iowa Cities - Page 13

2. Waterloo


Work on the Logan Avenue Renewal project in Waterloo, Iowa, began on April 17, 1961. It embraced an area of 103.5 acres and its prime goal was the removal of

blighted, deteriorated and substandard structures to install various public improvements designed to remove blighting influences and upgrade the area, and then to install confidence and hope in those families remaining so that they think it is worthwhile to contribute to the improvement of their resources.13

By August 13, 1963, this relocation project had been completed. It had involved the relocation of 220 families, 38 individuals, and 20 businesses.

Of the families affected by the Urban Renewal program approximately 75 percent were Negro; a few were Mexican.

The relocation aspects of the Logan Avenue Urban Renewal project were handled by the United Services of Black Hawk County on a contract basis. This organization is a federation of health and welfare agencies with a responsibility for social planning in the community. The agency handled a list of available properties outside of the Urban Renewal limits which are available to displaced persons.

At the hearing held in Waterloo on December 6, 1962, the Committee heard conflicting testimony on the matter of how minority groups fared in the relocation process. 

Waterloo Mayor Ed Jochumsen declared "No wall has been built around our Negroes." Representatives of the United Services declared that displaced Negroes "have been pretty well spread out" in the community. Furthermore, some officials declared that they found cooperation of real estate dealers excellent insofar as finding new housing was concerned. Other witnesses, however, declared that Negroes were dealing in a "closed" market when they
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13. From Work Plan, Logan Avenue Urban Renewal Project, Urban Renewal Board, Waterloo, Ia. 1961.

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2. Waterloo Work on the Logan Avenue Renewal project in Waterloo, Iowa, began on April 17, 1961. It embraced an area of 103.5 acres and its prime goal was the removal of blighted, deteriorated and substandard structures to install various public improvements designed to remove blighting influences and upgrade the area, and then to install confidence and hope in those families remaining so that they think it is worthwhile to contribute to the improvement of their resources.13 By August 13, 1963, this relocation project had been completed. It had involved the relocation of 220 families, 38 individuals, and 20 businesses. Of the families affected by the Urban Renewal program approximately 75 percent were Negro; a few were Mexican. The relocation aspects of the Logan Avenue Urban Renewal project were handled by the United Services of Black Hawk County on a contract basis. This organization is a federation of health and welfare agencies with a responsibility for social planning in the community. The agency handled a list of available properties outside of the Urban Renewal limits which are available to displaced persons. At the hearing held in Waterloo on December 6, 1962, the Committee heard conflicting testimony on the matter of how minority groups fared in the relocation process. Waterloo Mayor Ed Jochumsen declared "No wall has been built around our Negroes." Representatives of the United Services declared that displaced Negroes "have been pretty well spread out" in the community. Furthermore, some officials declared that they found cooperation of real estate dealers excellent insofar as finding new housing was concerned. Other witnesses, however, declared that Negroes were dealing in a "closed" market when they ________ 13. From Work Plan, Logan Avenue Urban Renewal Project, Urban Renewal Board, Waterloo, Ia. 1961. 13