The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09
THE PARK ASSESSMENTS
APPRAISERS WILL MAKE THEIR AD-
vERTIsEMENT THIS WEEK.
No InkIing Can Be Obtained as to
Basis of Benefits Nor Limits of
Territory Included.

On tomorrow, or the next day, the first
advertisement of Park Assessors Flack,
Coffin and Burton will be made, announc-
ing that at a date to be mentioned prop
erty owners will be heard concerning the
assessment of benefits and damages on ac-
count of the park lands. The law requires
the assessors to give ten days notice OF
the time when they will hear all persons
interested. There is still some work to be
done oil the assessment roll, but a number
of clerks are at work and the assessors
think everything will be in such shape that
the first advertisement can be made to-
morrow, as the work can be completed
within the ten days. 1t is probable that
each person will be notified Of the amount
assessed against him, and will be given an
opportunity to state why the assessment
should be changed. The assessors will
doubtless require all statements to be made
in writing in order to simplify and eX-
pedite matters as much as possible. After
the roll call is finally signed by the asses
sors, property owners will ave an oppor-
tunity to be heard by the Board of Park
Commissioners after publication of notice
ten days. AS they will also have an oppor-
tunity to appear before the Circuit Court,
it appears that the law has made ample
provision to protect the rights of property
owners and to prevent excessive assess
ments of benefits.
All requests for information as to the
basis of assessing benefits and as to the
distance from the park lots will be assessed
are denied, as we'll as requests for Informal
ton concerning the damages that will be
allowed property owners whose lands will
be taken. 1t is said that this information
will not be forthcoming until the roll is
completed and the assessors begin hearing
interested parties. When the assessors first
began their work it was said that all lots
within a distance of half a mile would be
benefited by the Improvement, and would
lance from the park lines. 1t is under
stood that the line has been broadened
considerably, n property owners all over
town are anxious to know how much they
are to be taxed on account of the parks, in
addition to the $1,000 yearly interest on the
$300,0OO issue of bonds, which will nave to
be paid out of the general funds of the
city. Property owners may take advantage
or the Barrett-laW system of paying the
benefits assessed against their lots in ten
annual installments, but this, with interest
added, will increase the cost considerably.
There is q tract of thirty-SeVen acres of
land in the proposed Fall-creek system
which was decided to the city July S, 1873,
with the stipulation that 1t was to be i'm
proved and used for a public park. The
Council refused to accept the land, on the
ground that the city could not afford to
show that the property was ever recon-
yeyed to the original donors. Since then it
has passed through many hands. 1t is said
that the title OF the lands has been tested,
and that 1t was found that the city had no
title by reason of the Council rejecting it.
Although some think hat the city could
recover the land, real-estate men say that
there is absolutely no claim that the city
could establish.