The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-10
DISCUSSED AT A CONFERENCE
q n
OF BUSINESS MEN AND OFFICIALS
AT THE CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE.
COULD NOT 1NDoRsE THE PLAN.
81
Meeting Adjourned Without Taking
Any Action I'm Regard to the
River Bank Scheme.


ing on West Third street, between the
West Publishing building and the cleo
trio light plant was informally dis
cussed at a meeting held at the cham
Der OF commerce yesterday afternoon
present at the session were the COM
mittee on municipal affairs from the
chamber of commerce and delegation
from the city development committee
of the Commercial club. Col. Clough
presided, and while no definite action
was taken, it is very probable that the
plan will not be indorsed. In the first
place it was brought out that the city
had no money to go ahead with the
scheme, and, in the second place, there
was objection owing to the impractic-
ability and expense of carrying out the
project.
Col. Clough stated that the meeting
was called to consider the plans for a
market place ON West Third street as
presented by George Benz. Mr.. Benz,
being called on to explain the plans, said
E. S. Chittenden, who represented the
Commercial club, would do the explain
ing. Mr.. Chittenden thought the plan
good one. The Commercial club had
referred the matter to a committee, of
which w. j. Driscoll was chairman.
MI. Driscoll said the only question to
be considered was where the money
was to come from to build the market
house, storage buildings and sheds. If
1t could be explained as to the source
from which the cash was to come the
commission men, fruit and produce
dealers, and, in fact, all interested
would be able to discuss the question
more intelligently
Mr.. Benz said the plans were drafted
in detail, andnan inspection would sat
isfy any one that the scheme was all
right. Architect jacobson, who made
the plans. gave atdetailed explanation
of the drawings. The frontage on
West Third street was 480 feet, and
the market hall proper would be 60 by
ITO feet. On either side of the build
| ing would be driveway of thirty-two
| feet leading to the Sheds. which would
| be on a level with the street. and with
d capacity of caring for 200 teams.
The walk on the river side of the sheds
would be $50 feet long, and give a beau
| tiful view Of the river and West st.
Paul. The plan was to have the six
| stories underneath the market house
proper devoted to cold storage ware
| houses. Underneath the platform,
which would be constructed perfectly
safe, would be room for an electric
| plant to be owned by the city, and this
| plant would also furnish the steam for
heating the market house. If it was
possible to secure from the railroad
companies permission to put piers on
Spring street and between the railroad
tracks the sheds could be extended SO
as to give room for 100 more teams.
w. p. Murray interrupted to say
that the railroad companies had not
the exclusive right to Spring street,
and this matter could be easily ar
ranged.
Mr.. Benz said he had seen the prop
erty owners with the exception of two
small tracts of the 489 feet and all were
willing to sell at the reduced price of
$1OO per front foot The property had
been vacant since May, 1870. Mr.. Benz
denied that he was interested in the
new market house scheme for the pur-
| pcse Of booming his property on West
| Third street. His sole object was
for the best interests of the city. The
market, according to the plans, would
benefit and accommodate the entire
city. The location was good and the
view a grand one. AS to the money
with which to carry on the improve
ment he advocated the sale of the
present market house and the using CT
the money to build the one on West
Third street. He had been informed by
the comptroller that the present mar
ket house was not even self-sustain-
ing, and he was certain that the new
one would pay at least II per cent on
the investment. The estimate of the
architect was S125,000 for the building
and sheds and $4,000 for the ground.
which would make a total cost of
$173.0 900. There was no necessity, he
said, for the retaining wall which the
city engineer had stated would be nee
essary in order to build the market
house and sheds.
Col Clough and Architect Jacobson
engaged in a discussion at this stage
of the proceedings as to the necessity
of building a retaining wall. 1t started
| by Col Clough asking a hypothetical
question as to the increased expense
over s125000 mentioned in case a re-
tanning wall should have to be built.
Mr. Jacobson said there was no need
of this. and Col. Cloueh inquired if the
plans had been examined by a compe-
tent engineer. Mr.. cohson explained
that he was competent to pass on the
question, but finally admitted that the
plans had been scrutinzed by COM
petent engineer who had experience in
bridge building.
E. S. Chittenden questioned as to
whether it was necessary to at this
time to go into the details of the cost
and manner of construction. In his
opinion, the committee should simply