The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-30
OPPOSED TO. THE DEPOT PROJECT.
Further Discussion by South Side Property
Owners Of the Proposed Vacation of Streets.

The meeting Of property owners of the South Side
originally intended to have been held at Phoenix Gar
den and to be composed only of those of prop
erty in the extreme southern part of the city,
held at Mozart Hall last night. Owing to mis-.
understanding about the matter, Austin FL. Brown
and Louis Essman who elected officers of the
meeting of property in the immediate vicinity
of the depot, held last week, took charge
of last nights meeting, and it became in
effect second meeting of the other body.
The committee appointed last week not being ready
report general expression of opinion called for.
and Charles Dauss said he thought the Union Rail-
way Company ought to be allowed to close Illinois
street. but that Meridian street should be left OPEN
The interests of the railroads and of the people
to a great extent the same. Mr.. Refel opposed
to closing either Meridian Illinois street.
James Buchanan said he lived on the South Side,
and that his business was on the North Side,
and if the Union Company could put
Meridian street in condition
for crossing the Union tracks than it is he didn't
know what he was talking about. He thought Merid-
ian street might be closed to all except foot passen-
gers. If that done the dagger to the lives of
those crossing would be removed. bridge should be
built the tracks at the alley east of Meridian
street. The Union Depot would benefit nearly
every foot of property the South Side. 1t might
injure little property in the immediate vicinity.
would not do to drive the Union Depot away.
Henry Sommers said Mr.. Buchanan lived down on
Union street and it was all well enough for him to
talk he did. AS for himself he not in favor of
letting the railroads take 'our rights and wrongs
away
Louis Essmann said the Centennial Block the
National Hotel building the Illinois House building,
Sindlinger's Block and others would be seriously
damagedin rental value by the change The property
North Illinois street would be benefited and that
on South Illinois street injured.
Judge e. b. Martindale said he owned property in
the extreme southern part of the city. 1t i'm
possible to locate large depot like the proposed
without njurng some property and benefting other
property. 1t depot were located SO as to directly
damage q mans property. that man could recover
might do. He did not believe that that handsome
thoroughfare, Meridian street, should be closed up
property by aviaduct would be nominal compared with
the damages from closing up such street Meridian
He suggested that the ordinances already prepared
for the Council be amended require the Union
Railway Company to build viaduct thirty feet wide
Meridian street-a viaduct paved with concrete to
enlarge the tunnel and make it available for trave to
property Meridian street should not be closed. 1t
was FIVE miles long On it was the best loca
| of che city; on it were the wholesale
houses and the handsome residences. The COMMITTEES
should go in broad, catholic spirit to the Council
| and company and propose these amendments Some
losses would be sustained and sacrifices must be
made, but the enterprise must not be stopped.
sticker explained the ordinances prepared by the
Union Railway Company.
Mr. Buchanan said that if the alternatives of clos
ing Meridian street and driving the depot elsewhere
were presented he should say close up the depot.
Austin a. Brown said the talk about the depot go
| ing elsewhere was bugbear The company couldn't
build elsewhere. The damage to property would ex-
tend miles away from the depot, and between Madison
avenue and south Illinois street would be $250.O00
or $500, 600,
John p. Frenzel thought the Union Railway Com
pany had been goaded on to build the depot before
| it would otherwise have done SO The
| depot could be built in other places
with economy. The thing should not be killed. Mr.
Seidenstcker said the company had in effect said,
Here are the ordinances. Pass them or we won't
build"
Finally on motion, Messrs. Martindale and Hide
| brand were added to the executive COMMITTEES APP
pointed at the last meeting proposition to add the
names OF Mr.. Frenzel and others to the committee
met with strong opposition and failed because of the
belief that they interested in keeping the depot
where it is. Mr. Frenzel declined to anyhow.
the meeting adjourned after much wearisome dsput-
| ing.