The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-18
SITE FOR 4 MARKET
SEVERAL LOCALITIES DISCUSSED
q AT A MEETING OF THE COUN-
Gil COMMITTEE.
NOTHING WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
SOME FAVOR SMITH PARK, WHILE
OTHERS SUGGESTED BLOCK
BOUNDED
BY THIRD, FRANKLIN AND EAGLE.
Another Meeting VIII he Held to
Receive Propositions of Private
Citizens.
BY THIRD, FRANKLIN AND EAGLE.

ASSSIlDlynen CrdlS dHu DlA, Ioui VI
the six members Of the council COM
mittee on public buildings, listened to
a discussion on public markets last
evening. There was a rather slim at
tendance of commission men, grocers
and gardeners. not more than twenty
persons outside the members of the
council being present. No action was
taken by the committee, but another
meeting will be held in January to fur
Their discuss the question.
Assemblyman Craig, who acted as
chairman, stated that the meeting was
called to informally discuss the public
market question, and all having views
or ideas on the subject would be heard.
George Benz related his experience at
a meeting at the chamber of COM
merce to consider plan for market
house on Third street. He said the
present market cost about Sl.3O0
year. and it would be much cheaper to
close it up than to keep it open. the
Smith park proposition, he said, was
not worth talking about. The prop
erty had been dedicated for park,
and the wholesale merchants in the
vicinity would never stand it. His
plan contemplated a cold storage
building and market house. with sheds
and the cost of the building was esti-
mated at $125, 900. The city, however,
had no money to purchase the property
with, and consequently there was not
much use talking about his plan.
F. H. Wheelock, who some months
ago presented to the council a propo-
sition for a market in the vicinity of
Ninth and Broadway, explained his
proposition.
c. c. Emmerson, a commission deal
er, thought it was the best plan to
concentrate the market in one place.
The idea of dividing the city with
two markets had been tried and was
a failure Third street was the proper
place for the market, and, as the COM
mission houses were all on Ihlrd
street, it would be bad policy to re-
move it. The market brought many
farmers to the city.
o. J. Reynolds reiterated his talk
made at the chamber of commerce a
few days ago The interest of the
grocers, commission men and produce
dealers, he said, were united on the
question of market. The market
should be located in the central part or
the city There were three places
where a market would be possible. His
choice was the block bounded by Eagle,
Franklin, Exchange and Chestnut
streets. The block could be bought
for $25, OO0 at the most. Plans had
been made some years ago. The city
could not afford to put in 100000 for a
market. The point to be considered
was in selecting a block where there
would not need to be any change. At
present, not more than one-half Of the
block mentioned would be needed. An
expensive building was not needed.
The folly of twenty years ago should
not be repeated. A location which re-
quired but little money to purchase
and not much to improve was the right
one to select. The farmers were the
men to provide fer. The total cost Of
purchasing the property and putting
up sheds would not cost more than
$35 900, the sheds not to cost more than
SIS 900. The second choice in location,
in his opinion, was the block bounded
by Third, Franklin, Eagle and Elk
change streets. This block could be
built up so that it could be approached
on three sides. The second block he
mentioned would be the best place, as
it would not result in the commission
men having to move their present To-
cations.
Several Of the market gardeners
present were in favor of Smith park as
a market place. The market at Smith
park it was claimed was more accessl-
BILE then the one bounded by Eagle
Franklin, Exchange and Chestnut
streets. Mr.. Reynolds and Mr. Emmer-
son were opposed to the Smith park
| plan.
Aid. Kenny spoke in favor of Smith
park for a public market. The only
trouble was that if the market was To-
| Gated on Smith park there would be nc
! chance for anyone to charge the gard
ners any fee. The park was no further
away from the commission houses than
| the Franklin street site. The city had
no money to purchase a market at the
present time, and it would cost but $50
| to test the question of whether Smith
park could be used as a market.
Assemblyman Thompson said the
commission men who dealt with the
market gardeners always located as
near the market as possible. Smith
lark was not as near the commission
! houses as the present market.
Aid. Shepard, one Of the committee
explained in detail the market plan a.
outlined by Mr.. Reynolds in the BLOCK
and Chestnut streets. There was room
| he said, in the block for at least 40t
| teams and there would be ample room
besides for a wood and hay market
Capt Berkey, he said, owned almos
one-half of the block mentioned, ant
the buildings now on it were not worth
much money. The market ought to b.
as close to the commission men as pos
sible. The block he thought could b.
purchased for about $4,000 and thu
| sheds would cost an additional $14, 1000
| He advocated the sale Of the old mar
ket property at Wabasha and Seventh
streets The market, he said, was run
ming the city in debt about $4,000
| 10 Of 10 rly