The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-16
NEW MARKET HOUSE SITE
Continued from First Page.

OH Third street, and the market
gardeners became SO bitter that a few
public spirited citizens looked around
to devise some means of providing for
the farmers a site that would be both
accessible and acceptable to all.
At this point the produce and fruit
commission men objected to the farm
ers being driven to some location re-
mote from their own stores, because
not only of the inconvenience to both
elements that would be entailed, but
Of the loss that might ensue to their
trade. 1t was maintained that the mar
ket gardeners should gather near
the commission houses, because the re-
tail grocers, coming to the market gar
deners for fresh vegetables were within
each reach of the former, which they
sought for fruits and produce.
1t was contended that, If the farm
ers' market should be located too far
distant from West Third street, the
commission men would necessarily
have to follow even at the expense of
the abandonment of that street as the
produce center.
George Benz's Plan.
About this time George Benz sub
mitted novel plan for overcoming
the difficulty, and, after it's considera-
ton by committees Of the chamber
of commerce and the Commercial club,
it was presented with the semi-ap-
prevail of the representatives of those
bodies to the joint committee on pub
lie buildings of the city council, and
a public hearing was given.
Mr.. Benz had complete plans prepar-
ed by a well known firm of architects.
The proposition provided, primarily,
for the sale of the present market
house and the purchase by the city CT
ing about 600 feet westward along
Third street from the West Publish
ing company's establishment to the
electric power house or to Hill street.
The descent from the surface Of Third
street to the level of the railway tracks
below is about seventy feet.
The plans contemplated locating
series of iron columns on which should
rest a platform on the level of Third
street, upon which might be stacked
from $50 to 300 teams; also the con-
struction from the low ground upward
Of a building about 100 feet wide and
six stories high, the level platform on
Third street being the roof, and the
floors below to be used as cold stor-
age warehouse.
1t was also proposed to extend the
walls of this building one ortwo stories
above the Third street level, the build
ing to be used as a market house prop
er for certain classes Of produce. Mr..
Benz held that the total cost would not
exceed 5000, 900, or the amount for which
the city could dispose of the present
market house In the event of the city
finding it impracticable the suggestion
was made that the plan might be car
ried out by private enterprise.
A part Of the rear provided for the
establishment on the property of an
electric light plant by the municipality,
of sufficient capacity to produce light
for many years to come; while 1t was
held that through the revenue derived
from this source and from the rentals
of the cold storage plant, and the space
on the market platform used by the
farmers, an ample income could be in
sured to the city to justify the under
taking, even though they should issue
bonds to enable them to do it.
Objection was made to the city going
into the cold storage business. and as
there were no offerings on behalf of
private enterprise forthcoming, con-
sheraton of the subject lapsed.
One Good Effect.
But 1t had the effect Of agitating the
public to greater activity in this line.
There was a proposition to utilize
Smith park for the purposes of a mar
ket, but this met with absolutely no
substantial support.
Among other suggestions as to 10
cality was one emanating from w. F.
Reynolds, of Reynolds & Reynolds,
grocers, 243 West Fifth street. This
looked to the acquisition by the city of
the block, bounded by Eagle, Frank
lin, Exchange and Chestnut streets,
shown on the diagram. Objection was
made to this because it was located
at the foot of the bluff and teams must
either ascend Hill street to reach Third
street, or make a long circuit In quest
of easier grades.
Mr.. Reynolds suggested, as second
choice, a portion of the ground on West
Third street. extending along the
south side of that throughfare at the