St. Clair

Urban Renewal 

Doc ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of St. Clair twice, before being elected to his first of five terms in 1968.  He ran on opposition to Urban Renewal which he thought was not only costly, but because he felt the citizens did not have any voice in it.  Ironically, Doc was in office as the facelift of downtown St. Clair was completed and he presided over the “Impossible Dream” celebration.

What follows is a bit of insight into the issue and history of urban renewal including official correspondence, city council minutes, and heated exchanges about Doc’s support of a citizen’s group in nearby Algonac, MI who opposed urban renewal in their community in the early 70’s.  Finally, you will see a digitized version of the “Impossible Dream” celebration booklet and comments from then Congressman Harvey which were entered into the Congressional Record of the 91st Congress.