On September 13, 1968, Mayor A.L. Rasmussen extended his congratulations to the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association for their new status as the non-profit sponsor of FHA-assisted low-income home sales. Wallace Walker, Sr., president of the association (at left), is pictured grasping the hand of Mayor Rasmussen at the association's headquarters, 922 So. K St. (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Andrew Hess, Federal Housing Administration regional director, is on the extreme right. The Central Area Progressive Improvement Association would purchase older homes, rehabilitate them, and sell them to low-income families. The families would be responsible for repaying FHA loans at 3% interest. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 9-14-68, p. 7+ - alt. photograph & article)

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Walker, Wallace; Hess, Andrew; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma);

Wallace Walker, president of the non-profit Central Area Progressive Improvement Association, addresses city and federal officials and members of the community on September 13, 1968, at the association's headquarters, 922 So. K St. (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). The improvement association had just been approved as a sponsor in a FHA-assisted program to sell rehabilitated homes to the poor. Listening intently are Andrew Hess, regional director of the Federal Housing Administration (seated 3rd from left) and Mayor A.L. "Slim" Ramussen, a charter member of the association (seated 4th from left). David Rowlands, city manager, is standing extreme left. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 9-14-68, p. 7)

Walker, Wallace; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma); Hess, Andrew; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rowlands, David;

Anticipation mounts just prior to the February 14, 1969, drawing for a new deluxe Volkswagen sponsored by the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association. The little girl standing next to the automobile looks prepared to select the winning entry from the box before her. Tickets were 3 for $1.00 or 50 cents apiece. For a look at the winner, see D155757, image 3. The people pictured above were not identified; they are presumably members of the Improvement Association. Photograph ordered by the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association. TPL-6681

Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Volkswagen automobile; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1960-1970;

It was a very sweet Valentine's Day for lucky Albert Lee (2nd from right), winner of the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association raffle held in 1969. He is shown accepting the keys to a brand new 1969 Volkswagen outside the association's 922 South "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) Street headquarters. Pictured alongside Mr. Lee were members of the improvement association and the little lady who drew the winning name. The Association was a non-profit self-help organization composed of various ethnic, religious and political groups who joined to promote the development and well-being of the Central Area of Tacoma. It was led by Wallace Walker Sr., who is possibly the man at the far left. The man on the right is believed to be Vernon Garrett. Photograph ordered by the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Volkswagen automobile; Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma); Lee, Albert;