City prepares for Young's funeral

AP PHOTO Former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young will be buried in a sarcophagus placed on top of a concrete base in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery.

"It's going to be a celebration - it won't even be like a funeral," said Harvey, who exchanged greetings with Young a few times as a boys basketball coach for the Police Athletic League. "He did all that he had to do."

At Greater Grace yesterday, workers tested microphones, erected broadcast antennas and placed security barriers to prepare for the service to honor Detroit's longest-serving mayor.

"We've never had an event of this sort," said police Chief Isaiah McKinnon, who met at the church to discuss security for the many dignitaries who are attending the event.

The service, expected to last about 2 1/2 hours, will include two songs sung by Aretha Franklin. Scheduled to attend are Gov. John Engler, Mayor Dennis Archer, former Gov. William Milliken and Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, representing President Clinton. Twenty-one speakers are to give two-minute speeches.

About 3,000 people will sit in the main sanctuary, with 20 percent of the seats reserved for family, friends and dignitaries. Another 1,500 will watch on closed-circuit television in the church's auxiliary room. Churches across the city will show the service on big-screen televisions. Ray Washington, director of security at Greater Grace, said thousands more likely will be standing outside the church, where they will be able to listen to the service over loudspeakers. At 9 a.m. today, those waiting in line will be issued passes to enter the church.

Peter Stroh, who will represent the business community at the funeral, said he planned to speak about the mayor's lifelong fight against discrimination.

"He fought for equal opportunity for all," Stroh said. "If it hadn't been for him, Detroiters wouldn't have had the opportunities that many of them now enjoy."

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