Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-22
THE UNION DEPOT PROJECT.


conference of Citizens and Railroad Man
ayers on Monday.
President ]. Gregory Smith and Vice
President Il. G. Smith of the Central Yer
mont railroad, President p. w. Clement
and director l.. G.. b. Cannon of the Rut-
land road met committee of citizens at the
Van Ness House on Monday and discussed
the matter of union depot In the conrse
of the discussion it appeared that the pre-
sent station cost 500, 600 and was
built by the road after plans submitted
by the architect, selected by representatives
of Burling ton, which were carried out to
the minutest detail, aud in particular in
regard to the waiting rooms Gov. Smith
said that it was his Judgment that the wait
ing rooms should be on the east side, but it
was urged by residents that they should be
located on the west side, on account of the
convenience to the steamboat landing, and
he yielded his point.
In process of time the city's interests in
creased, and the speaker recognized the fact
that change was desirable. The railroad
had been TO large expense to secure means
and plans for radical changes in their ac-
commodations here that would he in proper
ton to the growing needs of Burlington.
Ihey were ready to carry out the plans sug-
gested to lessen the dangers which they had
considerable anxiety about, and they were
striving to guard against these dangers to
the best Of their ability.
The company has guarded the cross
ings with gates aud fagmen at large
expense, SO that people should be
warned against the approach of trains.
When the road is ready to change
the dopots and its freight business as is in
tended, no one wiz mood to cross a single
track i'll going 20 either passenger or freight
depot. These change VII he made as soon
as clear land for yards can be secured. The
matter has been delayed because OF the de-
sire to carry the Improvement OF the pas
senBer depot aud the freight changes along
together. Until some statement was made
relative to what is contemplated Gov
Smith did not feel prepared to commit his
company TO a union depoJ other than the
present one He thought the passenger de
pot could be improved, and they intended
to change the waiting rooms to the east side
He had yet to learn that the depot did not
furnish sufficient accommodations for cars
as well as passengers during the State fair.
commencement week or other ieie day.
The Central Vermont management was
ready to confer in relation ~ the
depot project. He was not wholly
prepared nor yet unpropared 20 make a
proposition. He was willing to submit a
proposal to resume the arrangement which
was in operation before the Rutland road
was leased Gov. Smith said he was not
here to oppose the project of "A union depot.
lie came to see what was wanted. The
railroad was interested as much in having
depot convenient as the public. The inter
ests OF the two were one, and he would he
glad at any time to look over any plan that
the committee might propose.
President Clement and Col. Cannon re
cognized the desirabillty of union depot
aud said chat the Rutland road was ready
tc share the expense of one. Col. Cannon
favored a side hill depot situated between
College and King streets but Gov. Smith
thought that Il side hill depot would not be
satisfactory and said il was their inteu-
ton to shift the waiting rooms to the east
side of the depot and to remove the bank Of
earth next to Lake street So that there
would be plenty of room for teams. This
proposition was in accordance with plans
suggested by residents of this city at the
conference held here year or so ago.
Col. Cannon suggested that Gov. Smith
prepare and submit plans for the improve
ment OF the present depot, so that the But-
land road could act Understandings with
regard TO sharing the expense.
Gov. Smith said that he would be pleased
to do so and continuing his explanation of
the plans orally he said that they proposed
to locate the freight depot east Of the tracks
ON the south side of College street Most of
the building occupied 10y the Shepard ~
Morse Lumber company south of College
street will be demolished although a por-
ton of the long shed extending to the south
may be used for freight purposes and
large brick storehouse will prob
ably be built, portion of which will cover
the site occupied by the engine and boiler
house. Lake street and the land above it
would be converted into a yard for freight
teams SO that all traffic would be carried on
without necessitating the crossing of sin
gle track
After an informal discussion as to the
best site for the passengers and freight de
pots 1t was agreed that Gov. Smith should
prepare an outline of their plans for re
modelling the present depot and submit it to
Col. Cannon and the people of Burlington.
Mayor Crombie thought this was all that
could be done at present and the conference
came to an end.
In the general conversation which ensued
the fact was developed that the committee
would be satisfied with tho present depot as
a union depot provided the proposed i'm .
provements We're made.