M. Justin Herman facts for kids

M. Justin Herman was an American public administrator who passed away in 1971. He played a big role in shaping parts of San Francisco, California. From 1951 to 1959, he led a regional office of the Housing and Home Finance Agency in San Francisco. Later, from 1959 until his death in 1971, he became the head of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. During his time, many parts of the city were rebuilt. This process meant that thousands of people, often those who were poor or from minority groups, had to move out of their homes and businesses.

M. Justin Herman's Work in San Francisco

M. Justin Herman became the executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in April 1959. He was chosen by George Christopher, who was the mayor at the time. Herman was a very experienced leader. He knew a lot about how cities could be rebuilt and had good connections with the national government.

Growing the Redevelopment Agency

Herman had strong support from important groups in the Bay Area. These included the Bay Area Council and other planning associations. Under his leadership, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency grew a lot. Before he took over, it had about 60 employees. By the time he died, it had grown to 462 employees. This shows how much the agency's work expanded during his time.

Major City Projects and Changes

Herman was in charge of several big projects to redevelop San Francisco. One major project was the rebuilding of the Western Addition area. This project happened in two main stages. In the second stage, by 1970, about 10,000 people had to move. More than 60 city blocks were cleared for new development.

He also oversaw the transformation of Geary Street into Geary Boulevard. His agency also bought land in other neighborhoods. These areas included Chinatown, the Golden Gateway, the port area, South of Market, and the Tenderloin. This often meant that people living in these areas, especially those who were not wealthy, had to leave their homes.

M. Justin Herman passed away in 1971 due to a heart attack.