The Topeka state journal., 1897-03-09
IN THE PARK.
The New Auditorium Will Prob
ably Be Built
In City Park Where a Site Will
Cost Nothing.
/ SNOWY BUILDING
Can Be Placed at the Foot of
Jackson Street
So as to Preserve the Magnifi-
cent Trees.

The city councils action last night
will make the auditorium problem less
intricate. 1t was agreed that the build
ing should be erected in the city park
The suggestion made by Councilman
NettelS to that effect lifted a wet blank
ct from the project which was placed
there by an architect who said that an
auditorium could not be built in the
business part of the city for less than
$35. 600, exclusive OF the price of the lots
which would add at least $4,000 more
to the cost.
The Commercial club committee real
lied that it would be a superhuman task
to raise $4,000 $4,000 by subscription
to build an auditorium that would be
the property of the city and they will
be glad to hear of the new plan.
If the auditorium is erected in the city
park it is reasonably certain that a
building TO seat 5000 people can be built
and equipped for $50, ,000 Mayor Eel
lows said last night that he thought the
building can be erected for SIS, 900 which
would leave $5, 900 for heating and seat
ing. The building can be lighted from
the city plant.
There is $4,000 in the coal hole fund
and so the Commercial club will have
but 10000 to raise to give the city what
has been needed for so long, building
that will accommodate large gatherings
and also be accessible to the hotels and
home Of the city.
There has been some objection to the
use of the coal hole fund because it was
feared that the money would be put in
real estate and allowed to SIufnD6r
there after the people failed to raise
such a large sum of money as would be
necessary. If the building is put in the
city park that objection will be re
moved because the site will not cost
anything.
1t will be the first step toward the
improvement of the park which the
council has been threatening to take for
several years. With handsome build
ing in the park the people of the city
would take the pride in the park that
has beeen wanting The completion of
the new bridge will also add to the
beauty of the surroundings. The next
thing to be done will be to clean out
Smoky Row and if the park is improved
the people will not tolerate the diSrepu-
table resorts along lower Kansas ave
nue.. ~
At the meeting of the council next
Monday evening architects will be ex-
pected to make estimates of the pro-
posed building and the council will
then know exactly at what figure the
auditorium can be built. The ordinace
will then be passed in its amended form
and incorporated in the proclamation
of the mayor.
It is the plan to put the new auditor
ium we'll back in the city park where
the trees are thin SO that the destruc-
tion of the fine trees will be avoided.
Wide walks will lead to- it from Kansas
avenue and electric lights will illumi-
nate the way. 1t is proposed TO make
the building beautiful and artistic so
that 1t will be an ornament to the city
we'll as the park.
Councilman Skinner who has been Op-
posed to the purchase of a site and US
ing the coal hole money said last night:
The place for an auditorium is in the
city park. II is quiet and cool. free
from dust and just the places as would
give the people the place demanded. If
it is built up town 1t will be both dusty
and noisy
Councilman Roundtree-If some per-
son wants to donate site 1 think
should build the auditorium up town.
There are some people who believe that
a park should not be used for a build
ing of this character
Councilman Elliott understand that
nothing was to be said about the site.
If the people can not raise enough mon
ey to erect the building up town then
1 am in favor of putting it in the city
park where it would cost much less and
can be built of frame.
Councilman Warner-At last I begin
to see light ahead This proposition is
assuming the right shape at last. If
the building is put in the city park it
may be made of frame and the cost
will be materially less. This city needs
an auditorium and every one in Tope-
ka knows that and l believe we can get
it in this way.
Councilman Skinner-It strikes me
that it is a little out of place to ask
the citizens to raise 500, 900 $50. 900 to
build an auditorium if one can be built
cheaper which will serve the purpose.
1 do not believe in asking the people to
raise one cent more than is necessary.
Every man in Topeka who has no real
estate speculation in his mind would
like to see the auditorium in the city
park for it is really the business center
of the city. 1 have my doubts whether
the citizens can raise 500 600 for this
purpose and we should go hand in hand
with them and help them in every way
possible.
Councilman Nettels-Let US get an
estimate before the ordinance is passed
to find just what is will cost if built in
the city park.
It was agreed that should be done
and the council adjourned to meet next
Monday evening when the Commercial
club will be invited to be present