The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-03
THINK IT WAS WRONG
CITY OFFICIALS WILL DO THE PARK
BUSINESS ALL OVER.
Threatened Suits Made Them Believe
Their Condemnation Prices
Too Small.

The city officials, after days of considera-
ton of the proposed park system, have
come to the conclusion that all the plans for
the condemnation of the land to be used and
the amount to be paid for it are wrong, and
the work of months may be done over again
or a new method-that of buying the land
outright from the property owners-may be
pursued. The thing that baked the carry
ing into effect of the park scheme came to
light in the remonstrances of property own
erS and the advice of real estate men.
Mayor Taggart, Controller Johnson, the
Board of Public Works and City Engineer
Jeup gave up to the property owners. It is
said on good authority that If the affair
had not turned out as 1t did suits would
have been filed by the property owners and
the city led into awful litigation. The
city officials did not care to face the future
in the matter if they continued along the
lines laid out.
The conclusion was reached after con-
sideration of the remonstrances of the own
ers Of twenty of the largest pieces of prop
erty along White river and Fall creek which
were to be condemned This land had been
valued III the assessment rolls at $157, S25.
The owners evidence and that of real estate
experts whose opinions were asked showed
that the damages would really be 1899, 100.
The difference is $182, ASS. 1t is stated that
If the land in the whole proposed system
were taken into consideration the property
owners loss would amount to fully 100000
more. This amount of Internationally
5000, 000-is pointed out to be the amount of
judgments which the property owners might
be awarded if they brought suits and were
successful against the condemnation of their
land at the figures set out in the assessment
rolls. The city has but $3.50, 900 60 expend
for parks, and $4,000 of the sum has been
set aside for the improvement of the lano
after it is purchased. 1t is now calculated
that the Fall creek and White river system
alone would cost $4,000.
1t is now being considered which is the
better plan--to cut down the proposed park
system to one which will omit all land south
Of Northwestern avenue and TO take the
remainder by condemnation proceedings
begun anew or to deal directly with the
owners of the land.
The mayor says that he is still con-
WINGED that the city has the right to con-
denim the land for park purposes The tam
gle into which the matter has been dragged
forces an entire change of plan and aban-
donment of the work of the old Park Board
anu lldI OF the clty oInclalS since the Park
Board was abolished. The prediction of a
city official, quoted in the Journal several
days ago, that the Board of Public Works
and the other city officials were not capable
OF handling the park question and that they
had better wait and have the Legislature
pass park law that would admit of APP
pointing new Park Board capable of TAX
ing charge of the proposed park systems
is called sharply to mind by the wind-up
Yesterday of the park scheme of the city
officials. 1t is insisted by the city officials
that the park proposition will not be de-
serted, but will be carried on under some
new plan.