Legal disputes over a plan to widen Woodward Avenue dating back to 1874 were resolved in 1932. Permission was needed from a majority of the landowners along Woodward Avenue to finalize the deal. John W. Chandler, general manager of the Woodward Avenue Improvement Association, pledged not to shave his face until he had the necessary permissions in hand. This resolution allowed Woodward to be widened from . Several buildings were removed to clear the wider street path, and St. John's Episcopal Church was moved to avoid demolition. Work started in 1933 and cost $7.5 million (equivalent to $ in ) to complete.