This spring marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Project Progress Authority (WPA), which is the largest and most ambitious of the dozens of New Deal organizations founded by President franklin roosevelt. In order to provide jobs for millions of unemployed Americans during the Great Depression, WPA remains the largest public works project in American history. It provides 8 million jobs for communities of all sizes. The schools built by workers have always been inferior.
The Women's Action Programme has built, improved or renovated 39,370 schools; 2,550 hospitals; 1074 library; 2,700 fire stations; 15 100 auditorium, gymnasium and entertainment building; 1050 airport, 500 water treatment plants, 12800 amusement parks and 900 swimming pools; 1 200 skating rink, plus many other buildings. It also excavated more than 1000 tunnels; 639,000 miles of roads were paved, and nearly 6,543,800 miles of sidewalks, curbs and street lamps were installed. In addition, there are tens of thousands of viaducts, culverts and roadside drains.
"Between 1933 and 1940, a lot of our material and cultural infrastructure has been improved," said Robert Renninger, author of Long-term Public Investment: The Forgotten Legacy of the New Deal. In Churchill's words, never in our history have so many things been built for so many people in such a short time, and they have been built.
When World War II brought millions of people into the military and defense-related industries, the unemployment rate dropped sharply, so it was necessary to take out W.P.A. insurance. Congress closed it in June 1943.
The Public Works Administration (PWA) has built larger public projects-Triboro Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel in new york, Grand Cooley Dam in Washington, and overseas highway from Florida to key west. However, WPA provides more employment opportunities and reaches out to more communities by funding smaller and less attractive projects initiated by state and local governments.
There is still about half. These all show their age.
Adrian Benepe, a former missionary in new york City Park and now a member of the Public Land Trust, said, "Many of these buildings are nearing the end of their service life. He is worried that the lack of political will and resources may push some architectural and cultural treasures to a devastating situation. Hundreds of WPA and other New Deal buildings have been demolished or are in danger of being demolished.
"Many will last for a while, but not forever. The rate of return is declining. Benepe said: "Not everything can be preserved. Although it is widely believed that the country's bridges, roads and other public facilities are falling apart, at this time, the country no longer seems to know how to build public infrastructure. However, he added, "I can't imagine what new york didn't build under WPA. "
Such "things" are everywhere. WPA left us a small sample:
1/8 Orchard Beach Bathhouse in Bronx, new york is located on a mile-long artificial beach overlooking Long Island Bay. This landmark building in new york City is "recognized as one of the most striking public entertainment facilities in American history". When 1936 was completed, it was the largest W.P.A. insurance project in new york, and it was the biggest beneficiary of the New Deal because of the influence of legendary mayor Fei Aolei Lo laguardia and park commissioner Robert Moses. Designed by Emma Embury II, a trained architect from Princeton University, this two-story crescent-shaped maritime theme bathroom is made of cheap concrete, bricks, limestone, terrazzo and terrazzo. In its heyday, this exhibition hall had a restaurant, a dance floor, a dressing room, a shower and a laundry room, serving several generations of working-class residents in the Bronx. But the salty air and water eventually caused losses, and this crumbling bathhouse is now closed and isolated from beach tourists. Benepe estimates that it will cost 50 million dollars to restore this area, which is unlikely when the budget is tight and the era of swimsuit rental is long gone: "It may never be used as a bathhouse again." 2065438+In March 2004, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, announced a plan to revitalize the area at a cost of $65 million, including the plan of WPA bathhouse. These ideas include an entertainment center, a swimming pool or a nature center.