Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-21
THE CHURCM STREET ENTE g.
Atxl6S)Eh PEEBEf il AID
Vyhat Ac.iou shaII he Tnlkeu4

A6sE0H REEsEs @Ad |
What Action Shall be Taken?
4 z In Wednesdays UNION AID AMERICAN
mention was made Of an effort 70 widen
Church street, Since then we have enquired
and fouiid that many OF the property hoidt
erS are willing to donatet the 'sten, feet for
this purpose. The subject is being serious
ly agitated, and we are confident ii wiz re-
suit desirably. Mr.. e. w. Cole, who owns
one hundred and fifty feet north, and
one hundred and FIVE south of Church
street, is willing to give not only ten feet,
but twenty feet on each side. All the prop
erty holders between McLemOre and
Spruce are willing 10 give ten feet. Dr.
CuTTey, at the corner and Thompson AM
derson both express themselves in this
way. The latter named gentleman intends
erecting four large business houses below
his present dwelling as soon as the great
Union depot Is begun. Through the in
strumentality of President Cole, of the Nash
vile and Chattanooga, Georgia and North
western railroads, the site Of the Union
Depot has been secured and viii be located
where The present buildings Of the above
companies now stand. The main front
will be on Church street, and which In order
to accommodate the great mum
Der of vehicles required in the passenger
traffic of depot where the trains of six
railroads center, win have to be widened at
least twenty feet. This new depot will be
attractive in its architectural design and
large and convenient in its arrangements,
costing not less than SIPS, 200. When we
realize what has been done to secure the
central location of such building, is it not
Incumbent upon property holders who
viii be go largely benefited, TO
show their appreciation of the
advantages conferred? The increased
value of property along the street In the
event of its being opened, is of itself an ar
guInent most powerful, as its truth is unde-
niable to those who own real estate on
Church street. The street railway win be
built down Church TO to the union depot,
and again do we have another argument N
favor of It's being widened. While street
cars are Indispensable as modes of convey
ance in cities, yet the iron rails are sources Of
much annoyance TO drivers of hacks, wagons,
ETC., beside being a cause Of great
damage to every class Of vehicles. When
there are over twelve trains daily arriving
az anu hCpdl nun Oi4C IpOtub, kll6
amount of travel along this thoroughfare
will be. augmented so largely that the ut
most confusion, delay and danger viii at
tend the driving Of any vehicles.
The only way to remedy all this is to
make the street. wider. When boot is too
tight stretch it or get larger pair. If the
location Of the Union Depot were put up to
those who would bid the highest price, the
amount paid by owners of real estate 10 Sc
cure it on street along which their prop
erty is situated would be fabulous. This,
then, VIII show how valuable to the prop
erty Of Church street the Union Depot win
prove. Business houses will Immediately
and counHessly be erected near the depot
and along the street leading to and from
the great landing place. The prominence
given Church street will be great, and the
rush made for it will be wonderful Yet
in the face of ali this are there those who
will hold back and assist ia letting the street
be as cramped as possible, so much so that
business, because not having room to do it.
self justice, viii seek other streets adjacent
thereto. Now there are several plans
whereby the street may be Widened ten feet
on each side without any financial damage
being done any one. Let the city pay those
(who will be few who are I'M
willing to donate ten feet. Let
jury assess the extent of damage done
aud let the award be in accordance. Let
the property which is benefited be also APP
praised as to its enhanced value; hence let
the taxation be in proportion. This would
compensate the parties damaged and be not
unjust TO those benefited by the improve
ment Of their property. Inasmuch as many
are willing and eager to donate ten or more
feet deep, bow would il 40 for the city to
accept such donation with the guarantee of
not Increasing the taxable value Of prop
erty, from which was made such donation,
for the next succeeding FIVE years. This
we think a good plan; for if, by
their own liberality owners of real estate
wish to increase the value Of their property
and at the same time to promote the gen
eral property Of the City's welfare by eli
couragiDg a much desired Improvement, !
taking as means therefor the5Tee donation
of ground for public good, they should be
allowed SO to do without any drawback or I
obstacle being interpOsed in the way of i'll
creased taxation. The subject has already /
been commended Of its own merits to tie /
serious consideration Of the property hold |
ers. Property holders on Church street /
west of the Chattanooga depot have in
many instances exp essed a willingness to l
have that end of the street wideued |
They are determined that the EAST /
enders" shall not Rave all the frolicking to |
but will also "open the ball' |
and join in the dance. The residents along !
Church street are very deeply interested, !
and, while few may properly hesitate un-
til satisfied as to the propriety of thsir &C.
ton, we have not heard of single person,
though Of course there will be some, o5- I
iecting to this new enterprise. The resi-,
dents of Church street want their thorough !
fare widened, and will make an effort, earn
est and persistent, to attain This end. In !
future we will speak of this move, trusting
It may receive cooperation from the prop |
,rty holders of the above street,