U-Matic

Detroit Center Press Conf., 6-14-89

U-Matic tape containing a recording of a June 14, 1989 press conference concerning the Woodward Avenue One Development (the eventual Comerica Tower/One Detroit Center building), featuring Mayor Coleman A. Young, developer Gerald D. Hines, and several business leaders. The recording was made over a previous recording of a Thanksgiving parade balloon, and of a press conference concerning the 1988 presidential election, moments of which remain at the beginning and end of the tape.

The tape opens with a brief clip of the Captain Detroit balloon from the 1988 Thanksgiving Day Parade (see tape 2015.008.153 for the uninterrupted recording).

The newer recording begins as Mayor Coleman A. Young takes the podium at a press conference to discuss the Woodward Avenue One development (the eventual Comerica Tower/One Detroit Center building) from Gerald D. Hines, and to announce new tenants for the building.

Young mentions the National Bank of Detroit; and the law firm of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman as previously announced tenants. He then introduces developer Gerald D. Hines, co-architect John Burgee, Hine's lawyer Alan Schwartz, Michigan Bell Vice-President Robert Hurst, Detroit Edison CEO Walter J. McCarthy. and Hines Interests Vice-President David McGinnis.

Hines then takes the podium. He thanks the mayor and his staff for their cooperation in the project, and then introduces John Burgee. Burgee talks about the building's design. Hines then makes the announcement of two new tenants for the building--Detroit Edison and Michigan Bell. Walter J. McCarthy and Robert Hurst then speak about the expansion of their companies into the building.

Young then takes questions from the press. He and Hines mention the plans for a second tower beside Woodward Avenue One, and he is asked to compare the development to the Renaissance Center. Hines talks about growth in Detroit. Young also mentions staying up to watch the Piston's win the NBA championship the previous night, and the next day's Detroit Pistons victory parade (with guest Tommy Hearns) and the upcoming Grand Prix. He also compliments Isiah Thomas. Young also takes an opportunity to teases the reporters about painting the city in a negative light. Young is asked about a police probe, and states that more information is forthcoming. He also is asked about the Mayor of Warren's attempt to stop the expansion of City Airport. This recording ends after a photo opportunity with Young, Hines, and the concept art of the building.

After a cut is another snippet from a previous recording. Here, a woman in a Michael Dukakis pin discusses issues of abortion-related legislation, women's health care, and quality employment in advance of the 1988 election at another press conference.

The video is on a 3M UCA-30s U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching clamshell case with a handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information label on the cover. A handwritten shot list on City of Detroit stationery is included in the case.