Final answer:
True, Pruitt-Igoe, a public housing complex, was deteriorating by the mid-60s due to poor maintenance, crime, and segregation, reflecting broader urban decay and failure of urban policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, by the mid-60s, the Pruitt-Igoe housing complex in St. Louis was indeed falling apart. This public housing project, initially lauded as a model for urban development, became infamous for its poverty, crime, and segregation by the 1960s. Designed with modernist principles and intended to provide suitable living conditions, Pruitt-Igoe faced a myriad of issues including poor maintenance, vandalism, and a lack of amenities, which led to its decline. This failure highlighted the broader challenges of urban decay and the inadequacies of post-war urban policy. The Pruitt-Igoe complex was ultimately demolished in the mid-70s, a symbol of the plight facing many American cities during this era, as municipal governments struggled with shrinking tax bases and the resulting fiscal crises.