History:Willimantic Redevelopment, Part 2

Peter Crowley Photo

Vacant Lots and Broken Dreams:
Urban Renewal in Willimantic Connecticut
Richard Baber

Part 2


Urban renewal, the seizure and wholesale clearance by the government of blighted and and decayed properties in low income section of cities to be replaced by privately developed buildings had sparked debate and controversy in every community it has touched.  Its purpose as stated in the title 1 of the housing act of 1949 was "the realization  as soon as possible of the goal of a decent goal and suitable living environment for every American family."  Through the clearing of slums and "the reconstruction of blighted areas,"  Congress sought to eliminate substandard housing and community development sufficient to remedy the post- war housing shortage.

Immediately,  Congress authorized $100 million for the purpose and within one year, planning had begun on 124 nationwide.  By 1953 the amount  had risen to$400 million with planning begun on 260 projects. A federal court was asked to rule on the constitutionality of private property be seized for the purpose of selling to other private interest.  The court reaffirmed and earlier ruling ,"that the taking of property of selling or leasing  it to others is not within the scope of government power." And the stated objective in this case did not constitute a public purpose.

In 1954 the decision was appealed in the U.A. Suprem Court in what turned out to be a pivotal year for the urban renewal program.  After hearing arguments,  the court overruled its earlier finding, stating that "the concept of public welfare is broad and inclusive....Once the question of public  purpose has been decided, the amount and character of land to be taken for the project....rests in the discretion of the legislative branch." Although the courts were repeatedly asked to review this ruling they  never overturned it  "on the theory that the primary objective was slum clearance, not the seizing of property of one individual and turning it over to another.

The same year Congress  passed the Omnibus Housing Act which had a clause that extended urban renewal for the first time to commercial property.  So with the constitutionality question
settled and residential restrictions lifted, money was readily forthcoming.  By 1954 Congress had actually begun.

Like Eastern Connecticut, Willimantic's prosperity rested on the textile industry.  Cotton and silk mills on Bridge Street, Valley Street , Church  Street, the largest of these, the Willimantic Linen Co. later restyled as the American Thread Co. became one of the largest thread manufactures in the world,  As the mills  grew so did the economy. Housing was built and a downtown business district was established. The railroad came and with it more grouth. commercial blocks, municipal  buildings, hotels, theaters, churches, train depot and opulent Victorian style homes  were erected making Willimantic  one of the showplace communities of Connecticut. Before the 1929 stock market crash, Willimantic was considered  a regional finical and cultural
center boasting one of the highest standard of livings in the region.