OCR Text |
Show I n -d e p t h o o k a t a c o m m u n i ty issue 1 by Laura Briggs Plans for Salt Palace Area Arouse Variety of Feelings What is happening with Utah's plans for celebration of the nation's bicentennial? The Bicentennial Planning Commission, which is developer that the land may be taken over for a public site. It is true that Congress has not allocated any funds to the Bicentennial yet, and no state headquartered in the Salt Palace, says nothing is happening." The smokescreen around "nothing happening seems to be billowing higher and thicker while the fires of indignation and mistrust are burning brighter and stronger spite of repeated assurances by state and city officials, from Governor Rampton to Mayor Jake Garn, that it is not possible for minority interests to be disregarded, citizens who are around concerned minority concerned with the groups. To say there seems to be apprehension and resistance concerning proposals to build a question are already envisioning their churches, stores, homes and cultures being bulldozed out of existence. The Governor has confirmed that proposals for celebrating the bicentennial in Utah will be one of the first issues to come before the 1973 state legislation. It is after proposals and plans are ratified by the legislature that an official Bicentennial Committee is supposed to be appointed, but cultural park, principally to provide a permanent home for the Utah Symphony Orchestra, construct more parking area and declare a moratorium on exisiting properties west and south of the Salt Palace is understating the issue. The Bicentennial is headed by Chairman 0. C. Tanner, who was appointed by Governor Calvin Commission Rampton; Wendel Ashton, director of communications, L. D. S. Church; McGown Hunt, chairman of the Salt Palace Board; Oakley Evans, retired J. C. senior vice-presiden- t, Penneys; and Victor L. Brown, Sr. bishop, L. D. S. Church. Tanner chose his assistants, "because they were persons with talents and abilities suitable for felt such planning and people did not serve any special interests I in their community or state." When minority spokesmen asked to be represented on the Commission, the request was denied, "because a minority citizen would constitute special interests." It is claimed by the Japanese American Citizens League that, Bicentennial even though they have been given "lip service and crumbs of assurance," everything in a pre-plannin- g is "merely stage and they be consulted later," it appears to them that some fairly concrete steps have actually been will taken to assure that "Bicentennial dreams" will become rea lty. "We will stay and fight for our community," the JACL has stated in writing. It is confirmed that students have been recruited from the University of Utah to conduct feasibility studies, an architect has been retained and Mr. Tanner has discussed the possibility of a moratorium on the six block area from South Temple to Third South and from First West to Third West. One month ago, this area was publicly declared to be reserved for "public interest" which warns any private legislation has been proposed. In area in minority groups from the concerned area are wondering if steps will be taken in the legislation that will thereby render them powerless to control their properties and culture architecture. This land area. in question is worth many times more than the 22 million dollars the federal government is predicted to allocate, and the heritage of our members is based in this area," states Father Elias. Bill Peters, who presided over the Greek community meeting, was authorized by unanimous vote, to appoint nine members to a committee to work in coalition with the other minorities on the bicentennial issue. Peters, who was warned by the Greek speaking members to pick representatives, "with teeth to be felt by the Bicentennial Commission," chose Nick Coacidas, Sam Souvall, Dr. Tikoff, Bill Dokos, Mary Diamond, George Nickoladis, Con Skedros, Ted Spiros and George Fergus. It was agreed that Father Elias would serve as a committee member also. In the meantime, during the Japanese-America- to the Buddhist and n Christian Churches and businesses, the area in question is the site of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Guadalupe Center and it is the home and business community for a number of black and Indian citizens. The Model Cities area of People's Freeway, is included. "There is a rundown appearance to parts of this neighborhood and many residents and business owners would be amenable to an upgrading of the area, perhaps in center the form of a that would present us in a manner that is a continous contribution and a living culture, not a preservation of the past or a token tribute shown on slides and with dead exhibits," pointed out mult-cultur- e Carl Inoway of the Japanese-America- n Citizens League. The Greek community, according to Father Elias Stepanopoulos, has decided to stand with the other minorities to insure preservation of their church and culture center. "Our church is a priceless example of Byzantine minority groups to appoint representative. Dr. Hashimoto, Professor of Anatomy at the University of Utah, was subsequently appointed by the various groups and he has Becentennial Commission recently. "They are concerned their way," he reported. "It remains to be seen if they are throwing sand in our eyes." Much of the objection the minorities have gentlemen, I believe, in voiced concerning the Bicentennial Commission their meetings is that have not been construction that might conceivably take place. touched by these plans will be pleased. This is particularly true of the parks idea for the Centennial. If some of the six block area suggested adjoining the Salt Palace is used, nothing will be done without the full consent or approval of all people concerned." Tanner continued, "If nothing is done in this area, it will be the great loss of the people now there, or whose churches or other institutions involved. The may be Bicentennial celebration is for all Americans and all Americans should participate with results for the benefit of all." "Utah's part in the publicized, open meetings. Hashimoto, who reminisced about growing up in the Bicentennial does not come into legal standing until the state legislation meets in January. If concerned area, "helping father with the family his the proposed legislation approved it will give full market," stated that he would like to see a longer range, "fifty year plan" for the area in question. Chicano groups have stated they will, "get their bodies together and spread the word about standing with the other citizens of the area." Chicano leaders stressed the importance of Dr. Hashimoto and other minority participants communicating with Chicano citizens, "so they can really see the coalition of our cause in action." Professor Ulibarri of Weber State College has also been appointed by Governor Rampton to spearhead bicentennial planning input from the Ogden cu 1 u ra I -- commercial area, utilizing our cultural contributions in the form of shops, restaurants, specialty businesses as well as our churches and social centers would insure the continuity of our culture by living culture than by development that would conflict with bicentennial Dr. fish feelings, he said. "We feel that a combination commercial contrary, every individual a rights and better than would another architect's dream of a fine and Milton contingent respect for their community, expected to confer with the other minority groups. 0. C. Tanner states the position of the Bicentennial Commission. "While it is true that the Commission took the step to declare the area reserved for public interest a month ago, it was done to protect against any is Commission's plans are made with great care so that not a single individual will be hurt. On the reported that he met with the addition representing the Indian communty has been meeting on a weekly basis. They put pressure on the Tanner community, November 26. Sunday, In spokesmen for their interests here, also," stressed Antonia Salazar. David Hill, who has been ''Utah Bicentennial past weeks, the Weilemann challenged the n Indians are included as n centers. "Once the bear is in your own house, it is not too soon to start worrying. It may well be too late to take action to save yourself, William Soules said to 250 concerned members of the Greek-America- Ruth Ross, coordinator for People's Freeway, reminds that blacks in the area are determined to be an important part of the bicentennial celebration, "since they are direct descendents of original pioneers to Utah." "We want to be sure the they moved out might tend to leave them with feelings of mistrust and insecurity about being dispersed again without is to any and all people in Utah who care to participation No plans will be carried out that are objected to participate. by the people affected - only where people want these plans carried out," he said. "The Board of the Utah Bicentennial include Commission will concerned elected officials as representatives of the people. Churches and centers will not be disturbed nor will any private party if it can be shown it is in the public interest." Dr. Tanner concluded by all stressing that he sympathized with minorities who had been displaced when the Salt Palace was built. The manner in which building, manicured landscape and parking lots," Inoway said. "The economics, pride and responsibility of such a center as we propose would be in the hands of the 'little people' and we feel tourists would be more attracted preservation." understandable that "It the Bicentennial Commission would consider different plans museum-lik- e is thatwouid be financially feasible, perhaps tax exempt, and that would serve a variety of purposes for the whole city and state," continued Inoway, "but minorities here feel the real idea is to disperse them and to get rid of the present eyesore of rundown residences and businesses in the area." It is not the purpose here to imply that minority groups are being conspired against, that the Bicentennial Commission, University research teams and interested citizens have plans for pushing through self-intere- development at the expense of others, nor that all the facts are known at this time. The struggles of neighborhoods within a city to maintain themselves is not new. The conflict here deserves special consideration. Is it better to have brick and glass . centers, chains of hotels and restaurants, acres of parking to accomodate any size gathering bigger-than-lif- e from the Olympics to international traa'e fairs? Some of our citizens are beginning to think that by making our city this kind of international host, we might sacrifice the personality and humanity of our city to the extent that all we'll have left is a sterile, meaningless convention crossroad. What makes our city attractive and desirable for residents and for visitors? Isn't it the unique character of our city, the variety of neighborhoods and the architecture of different historical periods and cultures? Is (cont. on page 8) |