The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-19
FOR A CITY HALL.
Mayor White Favors the County
Property.
THE COURTHOUSE FOR OFFICES.
He Favors Selling Some Of the Present
Municipal Property TO Raise
Funds for the Purchase.

The proposal made by Councilman
Frank TwicheiI in an interview with
Posr-IYTELIIeENcER reporter q few days
ago in regard to the city buying up the old
county property for its municipal offices,
has caused some comment among those
interested in the city's prosperity. Among
those who have expressed themselves on
the subject was Mayor Harry White.
81 heartily coincide with Mr.. Twichell in
his proposal for the city to buy up the
county property for its offices when the
new courthouse is completed" said the
mayor.
II had always opposed the proposition
of the county officials to build the new
courthouse on the hill. | did not think
the new site central enough, and, with
others, considered that it would be difficult
of access. was in favor of the county re-
tanning the property it now owns. tearing
down or moving off the old buildings and
erecting their brick structure on the site.
THAT is thing of the past now. how
ever, and / believe the citv could not do
wiser thing than to buy the property and
improvements The county has no direct
use for the property and of course 1t will
be salable.
II don't think ii would be the wisest
policy for the city to dispose of its present
property on Yesler avenue. would differ
with Mr.. Twichell in that instance and
would prefer to see it retained. The city
has good deal more real estate and inn
provements about the city for which they
have no special use, and which is now ly-
ing idle. 1t can be disposed of at hand
some figures, and the returns will probably
net more than enough to effect the pur-
chase from the county and still have
enough for further improving the place.
what property do / have reference to?
Well, there are the two North Seattle lots
bought year ago for an engine-house.
They are of no particular value to the city
now other than to sell. and they would
safely bring $4,000. Another piece of prop
erty is the South Third street lot, which
would bring at least SAC, 900, and what we
will receive from the Spring Hill water
plant property we shall not need and the
Osborn bequest will swell the amount con-
siderably. With little figuring and no ex-
ertion 100000 could be raised, and that
ought to cover the purchase price if the
sale with the county is contaminated soon
enough"
IF the city does not secure more CON-
nodious quarters for its offices will it have
to rent rooms from private parties?"
ut certainly will. When the new char
ter goes into effect. the number of munich
pal officials will be in increased. The board
of public works will have no place, and all
the various Offices will be crowded. Unless
the city owns its property it will in short
time have to pay out for Office rent not less
than $500 per month, and that would be
taking backward step and would not be
good policy"
"Could not the city select another place
equally as suitable for their offices as the
old county property? ?" was asked.
Possibly" was the reply, .but cannot
call to mind where it would be. think
the wisest thing the city can do is to buy
this property. 1t is the most centrally To-
Gated. it can be easily reached from all di-
rections, and the present Improvements
with few changes, would answer all the
city's needs for some time to come"