1965

File — Box: 3, Folder: 26

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The Fargo Urban Renewal Agency Records for the Main Avenue project document, in very good detail, the operations of the agency and this particular project. The records were received in relatively good order. The fifteen series and general arrangement reflect closely the original order. Weeding was limited to multiple copies found within the records. The Urban Renewal Agency Meeting Minutes Series is very extensive and complete, documenting the agency from its establishment to 1974. Much of the discussion is recorded and in some cases an actual transcript of the proceedings. The early years also cover Fargo's first urban renewal project (Fourth Street ND R-1). Agendas have been kept because in some cases they include attachments not found with the minutes. Also included is a chronology (1956-1974), with a short synopsis, of all resolutions passed by the agency. The Correspondence Series is extensive and retains the original chronological order with several specialized subseries, organized by agency and with Mayor Lashkowitz. These files deal only to the Main Avenue project. There is one file of "memoranda for the record" of office meetings and conferences. The Loan & Grant Application Series contains the various survey planning, loan and grant applications made by the agency and city to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They are arranged chronologically and itemized in the box listing. The Appraisals Series contains three subseries of appraisals done for the project. The Patchkin appraisal deals with furniture and other fixtures in various buildings. The Hagen and Wenge appraisals deal with the structures and property. They are organized by parcel of land and contain black and white photographs of most of the structures involved. The Land Acquisition Series contains the records concerning the purchase of all properties in the project area. There are small files of HUD correspondence, reports and a general list of names. The major portion of the series is the individual file organized by parcel number. These files include correspondence, legal papers, a file checklist and sometimes a copy of the actual appraisal. The box listing includes the name of the property owner. The Relocation Series deals with the relocation of individuals and businesses that had to find new homes or business locations in Fargo. The General subseries includes a variety of documents dealing with this matter such as correspondence lists, and progress reports. The other two subseries contain a one-page data sheet for each person, organized by parcel relocations. The latter includes Fargo Foundry Steel & Manufacturing, Dakota Monument, Gamble-Robinson, Charles Yellowbird, Salvation Army and Mrs. Al Geller. The other parcel files were weeded. The Contract Series contains original copies of the numerous contracts between the agency and various parties, such as lawyers, appraisers, contractors, HUD. They are organized by the agency's own alpha-numeric system. There are two subseries within the Land Disposition Series: general documents and specific property files. The general files contain correspondence, redevelopment proposals, and specific developer files. The specific property files are organized by land parcel containing specific proposals, both successful and unsuccessful. The Close-out Series consists of the various documents associated with the final years of the project (1970-1978). There is correspondence with city government and HUD, summary documents on the project, and a file on the one land parcel still not developed. The files in the General Files Series apparently constitute the general agency administration office files and contain a wide variety of reference and business material. Included areas are accounting budgets, Fargo Board of City commissioners, agency publications, news releases, 1963 special election, and the city's "Workable Program for Community Development" (1959-1972) submitted to the House and Home Financing Agency. The Finance Series contains the official correspondence and documents related to the various loan notes issued. There are also files on direct Federal financing and non-cash grants-in-aid. The small Insurance Series contains general documents on bonding, liability and property insurance held by the agency in relation to the project. The reports in the Report Series cover a wide variety of reports forwarded to HUD. They include financial, labor, audit, physical progress, relocation of businesses and families, progress status and budgetary status. The maps in the Maps and Architecture Drawings Series (Oversize Collection 12) document various aspects and progress of the urban renewal project. The architectural drawings are for the various structures built in the project area, and a "regional shopping center" proposal submitted by William A. Schlossman but never developed.