St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-26
A TWIN CITY PARK.

banks on either side of the Mississippi
river, from the Fort Smelling bridge
northward, should be converted into
park. Noted landscape architects have
declared that no city in America has
such magnificent and beautiful natural
scenery within its reach as this. But
the desire Of the people of the
Twin Cities is inspired by still greater
reason. 1t is not only one of the grand
est hooks of nature, but it is the sur
r0undings of the spot which was given
worldwide fame by the immortal LONG
FELLOW. Europeans who upon their
arrival in America learn for the first
time of the existence of st. Paul and
Minneapolis have known from their
childhood Of Minnehaha falls. and are
anxious to see it. Those of them who
reach the Twin Cities inquire the way
to the famous spot before they speak of
anything else. The destruction of these
banks by improvements would seem
like vandalism.
Each city has at various times stirred
up a strong sentiment in favor of con-
verting portions Of the banks into parks,
but one thing and another have always
arisen to defeat the movement. The
principal stumbling block was the mat
ter of expense.
Representative WILLIAMS, of the st.
Paul delegation, has hit upon a plan
which is entirely feasible, and is about
to introduce bill in the house cover
ing his idea. The bill will contemplate
the condemnation OF 800 acres on either
side. each 600-acre lot to lie in a strip
along the river, ranging from One-quarter
to one-half of a mile wide. The work of
choosing the strips, condemnation and
putting through the general plan will
be placed in the hands of q commission
of five, whom the bill invests with the
state right of eminent domain. Two of
the commissioners will be chosen by
Minneapolis, two by st. Paul, and the
four will choose the fifth man from
some outside locality. The method of
paying for the property and improving
the park is most ingenious. 1t will
be done by assessment of the property
benefited. and since the park would be OF
very wide benefit, the assessment will
be spread over a vast area. The COM
missioners must make report of their
assessments, and within thirty days
file the same IN the court Of each county.
The courts will then issue notice to the
parties assessed, and they will have
reasonable opportunity to appear and
be heard. If the court decides that the
assessment is just, he will order judy
ment accordingly, and this will become
a lien only on the lands assessed. The
court may order reassessments. If the
judgments are not paid within ninety
days from the time of entry, execution
shall issue. The sheriff shall accept no
bid for less amount than the assess
ment. The sheriff shall issue a per
cent certificate of sale for each parcel
sold. The owners may redeem the
property sold in the usual way.
The certificates of sale are payable in
thirty annual installments. At one end
of the certificates will be thirty interest
coupons, and at the other thirty install
ment coupons.
The two cities will be empowered to
issue per cent bonds running ten
years. By this means the cities may
either take the 6 pei cent assessment
certificates which may come into their
hands aud sell them, or keep the certif-
Gates and sell the per cent bonds. By
putting the bonds on the market the
cities would make 2 per cent in the
transaction, and the bill provides that
the money arising from the 2 per cent
shall become fund for the improve
ment Of the park.
The islands in the river are to be con-
demned and made part of the 1000
acres. The government can be induced,
it is thought, to improve the river so
that small steamers can ascend as far as
Minneapolis, thus making that city prac-
tically the head Of navigation, and Civ
ing river access to the park.
The plan of this measure would ac-
complish what the local park boards
couldnot. Under thenew constitutional
amendment the powers of the park
| boards cannot be increased, and they
are therefore left without means to Sc
| cure LlGSC VI uCNCIOlJ SuCH Il
park. Under the plan of the bill the
commission is invested with the state S
right of eminent domain, and thus the
movement is outside the constitutional
prohibition.
The foregoing is only brief outline
of the provisions of the bill. In its
elaborate form it makes ample proyis-
ion whereby the parties on every side
may have full hearings in court, and
may redeem either the properties or the
certificates after they have been sold on
the market. The latter may be re-
deemed in full or part on any interest
payment day.
The most prominent financlers of the
two cities have expressed the opinion
that the certificates of sale could be
sold easily at par. The matter has
been pretty we'll canvassed among lead.
ing men.and approved. The expression
is that it is the only feasible way oil
converting the region into park.