Mayor: James L. Key (1931-1937)

Charles Palmer organized a group of Atlantans concerned about poor living conditions in the city. Intending to reduce crime and disease, they wrote a proposal requesting $2,375,000 in federal funding for slum clearance and housing construction to President Hoover. (Palmer’s buildings in downtown Atlanta represented the largest block of privately held commercial real estate in the South; improving the area would boost his property values and promote further business expansion.)

After Roosevelt took office, construction of first Federal Funded public housing project “Techwood Homes” began – headed by Charles Palmer and John Hope with New Deal funds from the Public Works Administration under President Roosevelt. [slum clearance alone provided 2,000 jobs)

-Harold Ickes blew up the first of the buildings to be demolished in the “Beaver Slide” neighborhood [this was a public event captured on video where Mr. Ickes detonated dynamite, footage later featured in advertisements about “slum clearing” shown nation wide]

-President Roosevelt featured in similar footage taken this year turning on electricity in the nations first (segregated white) Housing Project.

Construction begins on the University Homes Project, located on the land where “Beaver Slide” neighborhood once stood

After Roosevelt took office, construction of first Federal Funded public housing project “Techwood Homes” began – headed by Charles Palmer and John Hope with New Deal funds from the Public Works Administration under President Roosevelt. [slum clearance alone provided 2,000 jobs)