Blunt, cold figures are often not as helpful as explanations of the items for which they stand.

On the following pages you will find descriptive explanations of the work which will be done in execution of the projects which were detailed in the preceding section.

Airport

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

Federal requirements of minimum safety and eligibility for project matching funds require City Airport to acquire 7.8 acres of land at the southwest corner of the field, removal of the Aeromechanics School, a factory and 49 homes, to permit lengthening the main runway by 515 feet, to 5,100 feet. These additions and improvements will cost an estimated $259,000.

The present undersized and outmoded control tower should be replaced, to provide more personnel space and up-to-date navigational aid equipment, including a necessary instrument landing system and radar facilities. The site of the proposed new control tower will improve sight control of approaches to all runways; the proposed control tower, with 16,000 square feet of floor area, will be adequate to control traffic at Detroit City Airport's maximum potential capacity. The project cost is $730,000.

To increase the safety of aircraft in approaches and takeoffs, utility poles and high wires which border the airport on McNichols Road between French Road and Connor Avenue will be removed. This project is warranted by the heavy volume of usage at Detroit City Airport, which saw 164,995 landings or takeoffs in 1961, the most at any Michigan airport.

The present administration building was constructed in 1928 and is a reconverted hangar facility. Besides being obsolete, there is a definite need for additional tenant space. The proposed administration building will cover 25,000 square feet of usable space and will be two stories high.

Civic center

Plaza development and beautification will complete the site settings of Detroit's $100 million Civic Center, which contains our City-County Building, Ford Auditorium, Veterans Memorial Building, Cobo Hall and Convention Arena. In this area, a broad improvement plan will include concourse ways, public restrooms, park areas, an artificial ice skating rink, reflecting pool and other esthetic attractions to enhance the color, character and attractiveness of the civic center.

Firefighting facilities

To maintain and improve the hydrant system, Detroit has planned both short and long-term facility upgrading under a continuing program.

An addition to Engine House 59 is necessary to provide office, quartering and garage space for a chief at that station.

Telegraph building repair is required to rectify a potentially unsafe condition. New fire station construction will replace an outmoded facility, and add protection to two areas which require increased protective service.

Flood control project

In April of 1947, a flood on the Rouge River exceeded all previous records by as much as 10 feet in depth. Since both existing sewers and those planned for the future were dependent upon maintaining a predictable level on the Rouge River, work began immediately to improve the natural channel, in order to accommodate the flood flows being produced by increased urban development in the Rouge drainage basin.

Detroit's city engineer, the Wayne County Road Commission and the U.S. Army Engineers have combined efforts, and have been assigned to a flood control study project for the Rouge River.

The U.S. Army Engineers have determined that the reach of the Rouge River between Michigan Avenue and the Detroit River qualifies for a Federal grant and have so recommended. This matter is now before Congress for appropriation of funds. The cost of the project is estimated at $20 million.

The public work project set forth here is additional work, over and above that proposed to be done by the U.S. Army Engineers. It extends the benefit of the improvements back into the drainage basin where development is predominantly residential and contains well over a half million people.

Expenditure of $10 million on this project would affect the local economy by adding the following work opportunities: 500 man-years of direct labor and 250 man-years of indirect labor.

In addition, if funds are appropriated by Congress for the U.S. Army-approved project estimated to cost $20 million, the local economy would benefit by the addition of the following job opportunities: 1,000 man-years of direct labor and 500 man-years of indirect labor.

Hospital improvements

To maintain an adequate standard of care for patients of city hospitals, and to provide necessary facilities, major capital equipment and structural improvements, a total of $1,146,000 in short- and long-range capital expenditures will be required. These funds will provide for renewal of electrical systems and other utility improvements, health centers and a prenatal clinic, a residence for nurses, and the rehabilitation and modernization of our hospitals.

House of correction improvements

A serious necessity exists to provide the dormitory buildings and work buildings of the house of correction with electrical system improvements which will bring these facilities up to modern standards. As the principal detention site for Wayne County adult male misdemeanants, and the State of Michigan's only women's prison, both divisions of the institution are at peak capacity. The electrical rehabilitation of both men's division and women's division dormitories will modify and improve original installations, which were constructed during the 1920's.

Highway, street and alley improvements

The street improvement program selected for acceleration is a realistic program. Only those types of projects have been included which can be started within a reasonably short time, and can be completed within one construction

season.

Sufficient engineering data is available for these projects to perform the work both through private contract and through city forces, which could be expanded. The addition of $24 million worth of projects added to the city's normal program of $8 million per season, totaling $32 million for an accelerated program, will result in a total of 3,750 persons in the labor force for a 32-week period. This is an increase of 2,813 persons in the labor force.

The program is realistic because of these considerations:

(1) It takes into consideration the physical limitations of contractors available in the area, procurement of certain materials to be obtained on short notice (portland cement, aggregate, drainage pipe, steel) and the limitation of the production facilities needed to manufacture materials for inclusion in the projects, such as asphalt materials.

(2) Minimum interference with traffic while this work is underway.

(3) Essential need of these capital improvement projects is established, and will benefit the community.

(4) These efforts would significantly reduce unemployment in the community. Additional reasons exist, demonstrating the program's desirability. There remain 250 miles of unpaved streets within the city; 85 miles are front streets and 165 miles are side streets. These detract from the adjacent properties, through dirt, dust, and nuisance. In some seasons of the year, essential vehicles have difficulty traveling on these unpaved streets, which become nearly impassable.

From a total of 1,500 miles started in 1947, 600 miles of streets require resurfacing; 30 bridges need major repairs; 400 miles of curbs must be replaced. At our present rate, 10 miles of curb will be replaced: with acceleration, some 60 miles could be replaced.

Within the last 10 years, Detroit has paved and resurfaced residential streets, rebuilt and resurfaced major streets. Some boulevard-type streets have been built through the redevelopment areas and downtown business district; major east-west streets have been widened and Washington Boulevard extended and widened, from the hotel district to the civic center. In addition, both major and minor bridge repairs have been made throughout the city.

Also, in the past 10 years, Detroit has allocated over $20 million to the State highway department, as our share of the cost for freeways and other State trunklines within the city. Currently, Detroit payments exceed $2 million per year,

which go toward construction of 24 miles of completed expressways and some 16 miles now under construction.

Lighting system improvements and extensions

Long-term plans of the lighting commission project a program over the next 10 years, at normal construction rates. Projects are part of the commission's continuing capital improvements program.

Residential and main streets are being relighted with new fixtures that increase the degree of illumination. This new lighting is an effective aid in combating street crimes against persons; it aids traffic safety and business development.

Conduit construction and service extensions are carried out to increase the capacity and reliability of the power distribution system to meet increased load requirements. Changes in mechanical and electrical design, new equipment, and other improvements are needed to carry increased system demands.

Additional funds made available to carry out the citywide lighting program would means acceleration of construction and quicker fulfillment of documented needs. This acceleration would also enable improvements to the city's emergency communications systems, adding to the substation network, and extending the power service system.

Relocation of the lighting commission's headquarters building, a $6 million item, is a much needed project for which funds are not presently available. This headquarters includes the system control center, testing facilities, maintenance facilities, and the engineering and administrative offices. Present facilities are antiquated and obsolete, and relocation of them would clear valuable civic center land for suitable development.

Parking facilities

Three sites for underground parking structures are planned. Feasibility studies on two sites have been completed, and have proven the need for these projects in the areas for which they are planned. The third site is under a feasibility study, which will indicate an essential public need when the study is complete, on the basis of early findings. The three projects will cost a total of $6,800,000 estimated cost, with a total of 1,020,000 man-hours of direct and indirect labor involved.

Parks and recreation

Provisions for municipal parks, play areas, and year-round recreation are considered as important a function of city government as the maintenance of adequate police, fire, and health protection, water supply, and other city-provided services.

Public interest today focuses upon needed improvements and additions. Parks, playfields, tot-lots and parkways total 5,850 acres and the department spends $1 million yearly for land development. Play areas range from half-acre neighborhood tot-lots to multiacre parks. These facilities are visited annually by 30 million persons.

In the summer, 432 locations are supervised for 400,000 vacationing youngsters, adults, and senior citizens. During the winter months a diversified program is conducted at 247 centers.

Fieldhouses, playfield shelters, and comfort stations will provide necessary washroom facilities, lockers, meeting rooms, and storage space for equipment at 65 locations for $1,275,000.

Land totaling 600 acres will be developed at $5,000 per acre.

With thousands of registered craft, Detroit is rapidly becoming the world's capital for sailing and boating of all kinds. A marina at Engel Park for $981,300, launching ramps at St. Jean and at 24th Street costing $418,000, and anchorage at the civic center for $250,000 will make available additional needed water facilities.

Recreation centers costing $300,000 at Hope Playfield in northwest Detroit and Maheras Playfield on the East Side will give these areas a wonderful facility. Outdoor swimming pools, 75 feet long, with locker rooms, showers, and equipment, at an estimated cost of $250,000 each, are planned in six locations. Sixteen artificial ice rinks for $125,000 includes the cost of laying the required slab, and machinery. A total of 491,131 persons skated last season at the 9 existing rinks.

Lighted baseball fields at Chandler Park, Northwestern playfield, and Patton Park would boost the evening participation for older teenagers and adults.

Lighted softball diamonds are planned for Chandler Park, Farwell Field, Maheras playfield, two fields at Rouge Park and Woodrow Wilson playfield. Lighted tennis courts at 10 parks and playfields located in different sections of the city are included.

Public service improvements include parking lots at $47,000 for Chandler, Palmer, and Rouge golf courses, plus a water system at the above courses and Redford golf course, at a cost of $220,000. Golf maintenance buildings at Chandler, Palmer Park addition, and Woodrow Wilson playfield are also needed. The $650,000 for land acquisition represents the estimated cost of the land to be acquired under the current land acquisition program. The following sites are included in this figure: vacant land necessary for the proposed Riverfront Drive; extensions to Eliza Howell Park, Salsinger, Hope, and Mann playfields; and seven neighborhood playground sites. This also includes the cost of paving adjoining department of parks property as proposed by the department of public works.

Cost of properties to be acquired for recreational purposes in the various redevelopment and urban renewal projects is reflected in the housing commission program.

The new 10th precinct station, ready for immediate construction, will replace the oldest active station in Detroit, built in 1925. The present building, at Petosky near Joy Road, was planned for a much smaller complement of personnel than is now required. The building is outmoded, overcrowded, and off the main traffic artery. It is the center of a precinct area with 200,000 citizens, and is manned by 250 police officers and civilians. The new station, at Livernois and Elmhurst, will serve the present personnel and the area population, and meet future needs. The new site is served by two major bus lines, and fronts on a main thoroughfare.

The near-future rehabilitation of police headquarters, 1300 Beaubien, will involve modernization of the electrical system, power, and lighting equipment. The proposed construction of the fourth precinct station is necessitated by construction of the Fisher Freeway, which will require condemnation of the present station, at Fort Street and Green. The building is 35 years old, and does not meet the needs of the area's present population. Work on selection of a site is now underway, with construction to be completed by 1964, under present planning.

The rehabilitation of five other precinct stations (6, 11, 12, 14, and 15) will modernize procedures, with the main objective being separation of areas used by detained individuals and by citizens on other business.

A new police academy is proposed to replace the present building at 555 Clinton, which is inadequate for present class sizes, and which was recently condemned. The new building, to be located at the southeast corner of Macomb and Beaubien, will be a two story building, including an operators license section, target range, academy administration offices, classrooms and in-service training rooms. Public buildings

Within this category are general projects which have been classed as essential improvements by the capital improvement committee of the city. It includes building construction, additions, and major modernization of a number of city departments which have capital improvement within their budgets only for the provision of operational and office space, as opposed to general construction of public facilities such as sewers, streets or lighting.

Among projects in this program are the construction of an addition to the Recorders Court Building, and concurrent rehabilitation of the basic structure; a new building to house the complete operation of the city's welfare department, which is now housed at points around the city-many of which are definitely substandard; a seriously needed addition to the city's renowned art institute, to provide gallery space for its large collection, and to assure the attraction of both traveling exhibits and art gifts.

Public transportation

The Highland Park terminal heating plant has required replacement for several years, but inability to provide funds has required numerous costly. uneconomical repairs to extend the present equipment's operative life.

Only the most vital of repairs are possible under existing separate budgeting of department of street railways expenses. The administrative and other office buildings and terminals need painting, plastering and reroofing. Work done now could save greater future costs, and provide strong enhancement of employee morale.

Sanitation

Two new incinerator plants, and addition of a new incinerator for refuse disposal at the St. Jean plant, are needed in order to offset the sharply rising scarcity of dumping areas, and to end practices of open rubbish burning in the interests of air pollution control. A materials storage building is necessary at one incinerator site at present, to shelter materials used in the incinerator operation. A new employees' building, with restrooms, lockers, and cleanup facilities, is necessary to provide the sanitation workmen with suitable conditions. The yard paving projects will replace stone-surfaced vehicle and equipment areas with a more suitable all-weather ground surface.

Sewage treatment facilities

Growth of the Detroit sewage treatment program is a pressing necessity, due to commitments to neighboring communities which have given rise to a metropolitan area disposal system. Plant expansion, both current and long-range, is programed to permit acceptance of greater volumes of sewer wastes, and a more thorough processing to improve the effluent characteristics, reducing possibilities of a water pollution problem.

Sewers

In 1947, a master plan for storm relief sewers was completed, to alleviate widespread and recurrent basement flooding during even moderate rainstorms. Construction began soon after plan completion, and the city has invested, through February 1, 1962, $99,072,513 toward the master plan program.

At present, the estimated additional cost of the master plan program will expend $140 million. From fiscal 1949 to 1957, yearly expenditures annually were about $5 million. From 1958 to 1961, the average yearly amount was about $10 million.

By accelerating the master plan program, Detroit can increase expenditures from an anticipated $10,500,000 to $30,600,000, which is believed to be the maximum which the local market could supply, in necessary equipment and materials. Each $10 million added to the sewer program would expand local direct labor employment by 1 million man-hours, and involve another 500,000 in direct manhour employment.

Community benefits are directly felt by 100,000 people for each $10 million invested in Detroit's sewer project, and the environmental health factor for each of our 2 million people is improved.

The Detroit City engineer's staff of designers can absorb a 1-year accelerated program, since sufficient design work has already been completed to fill an expanded schedule.

Water supply system

Construction of water transmission and repumping facilities can begin in the near future and include storage reservoirs, booster stations, mains and other facilities needed to extend the Detroit water system to areas it has contracted to serve. Preliminary design and planning of these projects has been completed and they are scheduled in the capital improvements program for 1962-63 and 1963-64. If additional funds were available, work could be started on the projects and they could be finished within a year of the starting time. Any speed up of these projects would enable Detroit to get greatly needed water into suburban areas more quickly than scheduled under present plans.

Basic design work and acquisition of property is now in progress for the Lake Huron waterplant, which includes an intake structure, shore shafts, a land tunnel, complete filtration and treatment plant, a pumping plant, and transmission lines to Detroit. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 1964, with completion expected by 1967.

This plant is being built to increase Detroit's water system capacity to meet developing demands, and to give the system increased reliability by providing a second source of supply. For many years, this reliability factor has concerned both Federal and local authorities. Need for this increased reliability exists now, and would be met by acceleration of this project.

Zoo improvements

Improvements and new facilities to enhance the character and beauty, improve the public services and provide new attractions for the Detroit Zoo have been under consideration for some time. Major projects include a new refectory building and public restroom facilities in one heavily patronized area of the