The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Build 1t on the ola Site.

To che Editor Of the Indianapolis journal.
The new Union Depot should be built on the
site of the old Union Depot, and the viaduct
should be of the most substantial character over
the tracks crossing Meridian street. This will
call for reasonable sacrifice to those whole
sale merchants doing business on the
two squares bounded by Georgia on
the north. and South street on the south. Pos.
siby the city should aid the merchants and
property owners on these two squares TO stand
the loss and Inconvenience. Whether it will or
not, the benefit to the wholesale trade of the
street and intersecting streets will offset their
loss from the street. and the benefit to the
Sonth and North Sides will be meal.
cu.able. It is not because the
the Union Railway Company want the viaduct
but because the South Side should have safe
and convenient roadway to the North Side The
moment you place a broad. safe and convenient
roadway over the tracks you add % per cent. to
the value of city property on the South
Side west Of Delaware. Let anoth-
er viaduet be built over the
tracks on Virginia avenue and you add one
fourth to the value Of all property on the South
Side. When a Joy, the writer remembers that
the city of Cleveland was similarly situated.
What was then known as Ohio City was separ
ated by ten or fifteen tracks from Cleveland. A
few years since broad. convenient, safe and
elegant viaduct was built. connecting the two
to tine great advantage Of both sides. Property
in Ohio City advanced so to 100 per cent. Let
me ask the wholesale merchants and property
holders on the paltry two squares that will be
damaged by viaduct how much will you be
damaged if the new depot goes to East Washing
ton and Noble streets or out to the Belt
road. The present site of the old
depot is ample for the new.
using the Meridian street front ard second story
generally for waiting rooms, Offices. ETC., and the
ground floor for trains. which, with a viaducs
Meridian. can be entered square east if
need be. With good, safe crossing on Meridian,
no EXPENSE need be incurred on Illinois street.
Mr.. johnson has the tunnel, and if any
body is insane enough to prefer the risk of driv
ing through the tunnel to going square
out of their way and awaiting themselves of a
sure crossing. let them do ia blacksmith chop,
surgeon and undertaken would soon locate in the
vicinity. and business would be brisk. We want
the new Union Depot; want it bad; we want
it on the old site, but we will get it there
unless the Union Railway Company feel secure
that they will not have to pay heavy damages
consequent to crossing the tracks, and this
is right They know the danger and the
writer knows it, having had occasion to pass
from the North to the South Sides for fifteen
years almost daily; both by the Meridian street
crossing and that of Virginia avenue. / feel
competent 10 say most horrible accident is liza,
BILE to occur any day on these crossings. Having
been something of traveller OH both sides OF the
water. / will also say that have never seen a
city of the size of Indianapolis SO regardless
of the lives safety and convenience OF its
citizens. Give US the depot gentlemen.
Build it on the present site of the old depot
Give us a solid, substantial. convenient and
handsome viaduct over the entire width of Me-
riiian. from Georgia to South, and this beauti-
full city will soon double Its population and con-
time to rank. as it does now the handsomest IN
land city in the Union. HENDRIcK HYDE.