Urban Renewal Authority Annual Report – 1973

by Lynne Rostochil.  Brochure courtesy of Robyn Arn.

Today, most everyone in OKC is critical of I.M. Pei’s ambitious plan to modernize 528 acres in downtown Oklahoma City.  Nearly 500 buildings, such as the beloved Biltmore Hotel and Baum Building, were demolished before the whole Urban Renewal project finally and thankfully petered out in the late 1970s.  This annual report from 1973 both heralds the advancements associated with the Pei Plan and also foresees that many of the projects would never been funded and completed.  It’s truly a fascinating document and well worth a close read, and I’d like to thank Robyn Arn for sharing this interesting piece of history with the Mod Squad.

Click an image to enlarge it.