Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-05
THE UNION DEPOT,

THE UNION DEPOT.
Important Meeting Yesterday-The Build
ing About to be Erocted-Less Extensive
Than Expected. ~ +.
The council committee on streets held an
important meeting yesterday afternoon. The
subject to be considered was the petition Of
the Union Depot company to have street
opened from Sibley to Waoouta, back of
what. is known as the Kelly block. AS the
matter was alike of importance to represen-
tative railroad men, city representatives and
property holders, the following were in at
tendance to look after the several interests
involved:
Mayor Dawson, City Attorney Murray, AL
dermen Dowlan, O'Conner, Bell, Smith,
Rhodes, Minea and Brennan. Messrs. A. B.
Stickney, st. Paul, Saltwater & Taylor Falls
railroad; j. P. Illsley, st. Paul & Duluth
railroad; Mr.. Easterbrooks secretary of the
Union depot and Messrs. julius Wann, Fer
dinand Willius, Henry Schurmeier and
others.
A long discussion of the petition took
place. The railroad representatives, Mr..
Stiokney spokesman, explained the necessity
of the street for traffic purposes around the
depot. Entrance would be made to the de-
pot on Sibley street, and the exit of all pas
sengers would take place on this new street
if opened. In connection with this expla-
nation, Mr.. Starkey spread out q plan of the
Union depot which showed the extent of the
building and it's adjuncts. Hereon, build
ing, the Union Depot, is provided for, in ex-
tent 1O5 by 100 feet, and beyond it were
sheds and platforms for passengers, etc.
Mr.. Wann, Aid, Dowlan aud Mayor Daw-
son exclaimed that they were led to the be-
lief that the union depot which it was con-
templated to erect would be one in the
fullest sense, building into which the
trains we're to be run and passengers allowed
to embark and disembark. The building
exhibited was only q waiting-room, to which
were attached platform sheds. $780,. ~-
Mr.. Stickney explained the conveniences
of the proposed plan, and seemingly allayed
any objection. He remarked that all that
was asked was for the convenience of the
public-the railroads wanted nothing. Such
an improvement as the union depot wouldn't
profit them anything at all. The railroad
companies, to accommodate the travelling
public and traffic generally, would build the
depot, provided the city of st. Paul caused q
street thirty feet wide, petitioned for. to be
opened. This required the condemnation of
nineteen feet on the north side of the pro-
posed to be donated as public highway,
while the Union depot company surrendered
eleven feet without cost to the city, retain
ing only few feet to and beyond the street
curb around the depot building. He believed
the opening of such street would enhance
the value of the lots facing the depot.
m Ill -
his property.
Mr.. Wann didn't think so.
The whole subject was discussed pro and
con-, and an adjournment was suggested by
MIR. Murray. He asked the property owners
if they'd surrender the strip of land off
their lots, and thus save the cost of condem-
nation proceedings to the city.
Answer-No.
He then asked the railroads or Union De-
pot company to surrender all the land up to
the depot for street purposes.
Mr.. Isley saw no objection to such con-
cession.
Aid. Smith did not know what was wanted
with the new street extension through the
block between Rosabel and Wacouta streets.
Messrs. Stickney and Illsley thought that
part of their petition could readily be aban-
doned.
On this basis the committee decided to
recommend that the street be opened between
Sibley and Rosabel streets, and that the city
authorities be empowered to take measures
to ascertain damages and benefits, as usual
in such cases.
The question of the city vacating Rosabel,
Wacouta, Broadway and other streets from
Dayton's bluff to Sibley street, or so much of
each thoroughfare as crossed the line, next
came up. The railroad interest concede
that Broadway might be excepted in the
general "vacation' and with such an under
standing the committee and visitors disband-
ed.