Seattle Urban Renewal Enterprise (Seattle, Wash.)

The Washington State Legislature adopted what was known as the Urban Renewal Law in 1957. Shortly afterwards, Seattle City Council adopted ordinance declaring that "blighted areas" existed in the City of Seattle, as defined by the State law. In 1958 the Mayor announced the appointment of Talbot Wegg as Urban Renewal Coordinator for the City of Seattle. The first Citizens' Advisory Committee on Urban Renewal met in 1958. By August the group was known as the Seattle Urban Renewal Enterprise or SURE. Its goal was to promote fundraising and increase awareness in the community about housing deterioration and neglect especially where those elements affect the health, safety and well-being of the community. Focus on rehabilitation and conservation. A non-profit corporation was formed in November 1958.

SURE was structured with a Board of Trustees and an Executive Council. Presidents of the Board included Kenneth B. Colman, Walter T. Funk 1961, John L. Wright, 1962-1963, Cal M. McCune, 1963-1964, Donald S. Voorhees, 1964-1965. Lyman Black was appointed president of SURE in March 1965. Annual meetings were held in March.

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