Lorain Slums Article - October 12, 1963

Over the years, I’ve driven by the John F. Kennedy Plaza in Central Lorain countless times, and often wondered what was there before the low rent public housing was built. The story below, which appeared in the Lorain Journal on October 12, 1963, tells the story.

It’s interesting how the area was designated as a slum, and thus had to go to make way for the new housing development. (I wonder how much of Lorain in 2017 is actually worse than what was unacceptable and “shocking" in 1963?)

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Will Soon Disappear
Slums Given Last Look By Officials
by GEORGE VERBAN

A number of city, county and state officials got their first look at shocking slum conditions in the heart  of Lorain – which soon will be a thing of the past.

Fortunately, for many, it will be their last since the block, between 17th and 18th streets, will soon be razed and a new Golden Age Housing Center built.

The tour, conducted by Ronald W. Ashley, Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority director, took in the 28 parcels of property and revealed some deplorable conditions.

Attending the tour were Dr. I. C. Riggin, city health department director; Joseph Brunotts, president of the Central Lorain Businessman's Association; George Lanzendorfer, Central Bank Co. official; Robert Oleen, Red Cross representative; Maurice Brown, state representative; J. Norman Thompson, county commissioner; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Mitchell, American Legion representatives; Thomas J. Urban, Democratic mayoralty candidate; Mrs. Rose Coleman and Mrs. Ruth Brooks, Lorain Women's Civic League representatives; and Malcolm D. Hartley, editorial page editor of The Journal.

Construction of the Golden Age Housing units is expected to start by Dec. 1, Ashley said. Appropriation cases are expected to be cleaned up in the next two or three weeks, he said.

Thirty-two of the units will be located in single-story buildings, while 144 of the units are to be in a high-rise section. The building will be the highest structure in Lorain.

There will be 27 efficiency, 144 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom and one caretaker unit.

The LMHA complex will include a 10-story, 95-foot high-rise apartment and a series of low-level units. Total cost is $2.2 million.

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Courtesy of Google Maps, here's an aerial view of the complex today.

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UPDATE (October 21, 2017)

Many businesses were displaced when the buildings on the west side of Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets were razed. 

They included B&H Furniture Company (1704 Broadway), Aponte Food Market (1716 Broadway), Scutt Auto Parts (1722 Broadway), Johnny’s Cigar Store (1730 Broadway), Ralph’s Auto Service (1744 Broadway), Hageman Supply Company (1750 Broadway), Dom’s Barber Shop (1756 Broadway), Janet’s Barbecue Restaurant (1762 Broadway), Koorey the Tailor (1776 Broadway) and Bob’s Donut Shop (1790 Broadway).

Scutt Auto Parts moved further south down Broadway to a location a couple of doors north of First Federal Savings. And Bob’s Donut Shop moved south as well, to a new home at 1833 Broadway.