The record-union., 1893-03-22
TIE HOTEL PROJECT.


THE HOTEL PROJECT.
The definite propositions made in the
REcoRD-UNIoN for new hotel fund,
meet with favor and plaudits on all
sides. A hindrauce to the hotel move
ment is the cost of site, as most present
talked of sites have valuable improve
ments, and are near to or upon business
streets. Half the sum proposed as the
capital suggested by Mr.. Gallatin as
supplement to Colonel Crocker's offer,
would be consumed for site alone, leav-
ing an insufficient sum for the new
structure, which must be first-class or
nothing.
But modern hotel with handsome
surroundings and desirable outlook is
what is contemplated. 1t must be had
without further Ifs and "buts." 1t is,
then, very interesting subject for local
consideration, to contemplate the site
proposition, for that must not involve
such an amount of capital as to paralyze
the movement.
Has the city ground which it can give
as bonus to the hotel builders, out of
hand and in the name of the people? Pos
sibly such question may at first be
Jumped upon," but were it possible
under the law TO set apart the j and 1
street Plaza for the purpose, we do not
hesitate to say that it would be wise
municipal investment and directly in the
interest of the people, as referred to in
the city charter
The city owns, through the Board of
Education, a pretty good-sized bit of
ground on I street that could be contrib
uted to swell the needed plat to the in
finite credit of the city. AS it is, the lots
and building are doing no service, and it
is not likely that they will be utilized to
any considerable degree for many years.
Extended to the corner of Tenth street
the plat would enable modern hotel to
be erected overlooking the Plaza, which
in its highly improved condition would
make a capital foreground to such a
structure.
We look upon good hotel for this city
to be as needful as are better business
streets, new water supply and better
sewage disposal; as an investment, bonus
for tits as defensible as for manufactures,
which all concede it is wise to invite by
gratuities.
Since discussion of the matter is valu-
able as means of crystallizing public
sentiment, it is in order to refer to the
proposition to place new hotel upon a
residence street little more removed
than l. or K streets, thus lessening the
cost of site. But shrewd men who
have thought deeply upon the subject re-
ply that it is essential to success to keep
OFF Of a business street, but in close touch
with one, for paying hotel of the order
needed. Hence a structure as far removed
| even as l. street, and cross streets above
| Eleventh, would involve degree of re-
moteness from business centers and
lines of travel not desirable, while l.
street and cross streets below Tenth
would not be open to objection.
There is both strength and weak ness in
such an argument. Certainly for such
city as this, such hotel as is desired
ought not to be upon a noisy business
street, and that its grounds should be
spacious and its outlook fine goes with
out saying. But we do not believe that a
fine hotel as tar south as NJ street and as
far down as Eighth street in one case, or
on any street between Tenth and Fif-
teenth, and X and L, would be in any
sense removed too far from business CEN
ters.