Documentary details urban renewal plight in Huron

Editor's note: Kathy Muehlhauser serves as the Huron Historical Society's president. She previewed an upcoming documentary highlighting the city's urban renewal program from the 1960s and 1970s.HURON — To say the debate regarding the proposed location of a medical marijuana dispensary in Huron has been controversial is an understatement.But it is not the first time in Huron's history that residents and city council have been at odds with each other.The urban renewal project of the 1960s and 1970s divided Huron residents and sparked unprecedented animosity between those who supported and opposed the project.The topic of urban renewal was first broached in 1964, a few years after the village of Huron had reached a census of more than 5,000 residents, which qualified it to become a city. The 1960s were a period of rapid growth for Huron. Existing businesses were thriving, and new industry was moving in. More neighborhoods were developed, additional schools were built, and a modern sewer system was installed.Huron's future could not have looked better, except for one factor: The downtown was falling apart.Most of the downtown buildings were dilapidated, several buildings were vacant, and many were rat-infested. Some business owners owned their buildings, and others rented from landlords who were not interested in maintaining their properties or could not afford needed renovations. A survey found 49 percent of the downtown buildings were substandard. In short, the downtown was an eyesore.The Downtown Development Committee of the Huron Chamber of Commerce approached Huron's city manager and council about improving the deteriorating downtown. Since Huron did not have the resources to finance a revitalization project, the city council applied for funding from the federal government's urban renewal program, which provided capital to remove blighted urban districts. It would not, however, subsidize redevelopment of the area.With $2.6 million in funding secured, city council voted to implement the revitalization project in 1967. The plan called for the acquisition and demolition of most of the businesses and residences that comprised the downtown.Outraged that council had acted without the voters' approval, residents demanded the council's decision be repealed and the issue be placed on the ballot.The period that followed was one of the most controversial and contentious in Huron's history.The Huron Historical Society produced the documentary "Downtown Interrupted" to explain the history behind Urban Renewal, the pros and cons, how the project divided the citizens of Huron and, looking back, if it was a success or a failure.The documentary will be shown 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at McCormick Junior High School.We will revisit the era of Huron's urban renewal and explore the parallels between the issues confronting Huron then and now, the responsibilities of the council to its constituents, and vice versa, and how an informed constituency can enhance city government.A representative from the city of Huron will be available to answer questions about Huron's plans for future development.Want to go?What: A screening of "Downtown Interrupted", a documentary highlighting urban renewal in Huron during the 1960s and 1970sWhere: McCormick Junior High School, 325 Ohio St, HuronWhen: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15Who: Anyone can attendCost: Free