To Julian Bond from Samuel Williams, 24 Apr 1968, with Bond's draft response

E

O A

Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Incorporated

NASH-Washington Neighborhood Service Center

247 Ashby Street, N.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30314

April 24, 1968

Dear Technical Advisory Committee Member:

A meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee of NASH-Washington EOA Center will be held at the 247 Ashby Street, N.W. address, Thursday evening, May 2, 1968, at 7:30 P.M.

It is very important that you attend this meeting in order that the work of the committee may be organized completely and implemented. Please lay aside routine duties to meet with us. It will help in our common fight against poverty in the neighborhood.

Sincerely yours.

[signed] ^(cd)

Dr. Samuel Williams, Chairman

NASH-Washington EOA Center

Technical Advisory Committee

SW:cd

Reverend Samuel Williams

Chairman

NASH-Washington EOA Center

Techincal Advisory Committee

247 Ashby Street, NW

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Reverend Williams:

Thank you for your note reminding me of the May 2nd meeting of the NASH-Washington Technical Advisory Committee meeting.

Unfortunately, I must be in Jackson, Georgia on that [illegible] evening and therefore cannot attend.

I wonder, however, if I might raise in absentia, a subject I believe the Advisory Committee might profitably discuss. ^{at a future meeting}

It is the routing of the rapid transit line through the NASH-Washington area.

I have asked Henry Stuart, General Manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, to send you a copy of their 1967 Special Report which details the routes the new system will follow. The report is being sent to you at NASH-Washington EOA.

I hope this report reaches you before Thursday's meeting.

You will note that the West line, which has been extended Westward to the junction of 285 and I - 20, enters the heart of the NASH-Washington area just South of Lena and Ashby Streets.

Much of this portion of the line lies in whatthe MARTA calls a "cut", a narrow valley designed to decrease noise without the expenses of running the system underground.

It willadd additionally run through several homes now established on the Southwest side of Lena Street and may cause other homes along the route to be removed and their inhabitants relocated.

I am not suggesting the rapid transit be opposed; I think it is vital and necessary. I do propose, however, that the Technical Advisory Committee begin immediately to work with memebers of the MARTA staff and the staff at the EOA Center and with the residents of the affected area to insure that whatever disruption occurs takes place with the minimum possible disturbance.

As a beginning, I would hope that as many members as possible of the Technical Advisory Committee appear at the two hearings on the Rapid Tra sit system that will be held on the West line in May. One will be held at the West Side YMCA on the evening of May 16th and another at the AME Zion Church on Hightower Road on May 22.

Secondly, I would hope that the Technical Asvisory Committee could receive assurances from MARTA and the Urban Renewal Authority (which I understand will help in relocating displaced persons) that such relocation will be as equitable as possible.