The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-09
City Council Will Dispose Of
the City Building.
Probably Be Little Trouble In
Finding a Buyer.
ORGANIZE COMPANY.
Plan to Form a Syndicate to
Secure Capital.
There Should Be Little Delay
In the Sale.

The city council was asked at ITS
meeting tonight to again make an Ell
fort to sell the city building by sub
hitting it to bids or in any other man
mel, thought best. The special commit
tee appointed by the Commercial clup
to consider all matters pertaining to
the auditorium decided upon TINS course
at a meeting last evening
The meeting of the committee was
presided over by ex-Mayor Fellows,
who is chairman The other members
present were James a. TrOutman, P
w. Griggs and w. c. Stephenson There
were also present Attorney General
GODDARD, c. c. Baker and Michael
Heery.
The first thing that the committee
considered was whether there IS any
way to build an auditorium without
disDosine of the city building. and bOth
Attorney General GODDARD and James A
Troutman agreed that II could not De
done under the auditorium ordinance
passed by the council submitting the
proDOsitiOn to a vote of the people Ihe
only way to accomplish 1t, they Salu'
was to pass another ordinance prONiu-
ing for the erection of an auditorium
without selling the present city bulld-
ing, and hold another election on that
proposition.
City Attorney Bird, who came in la
ter said that the ordinance passed py
the council was what had been request
ed by both the Commercial cluband the
council and that the idea had been to
sell the present building before an au-
ditOrium was commenced
Nearly all the members of the COM
1nittee said that the reason there were
no bids when the building was offered
before was because nearly everyone
thought that the council would not con-
slider a bid OF $4,000, and no one telt
like bidding that amount until they
knew just what could be done with the
building.
u had a man who would have gladly
maid $40 900 for the building said Mr.
Troutman, but he would not submit
bid at that price because he did not
believe the council would consider any
thing less than $4,000. He has invest
ed elsewhere now.
city Attorney Bird said he thought
the building ought TO be worth more
than $4,000
y know of man. he said, who is
ready to lease the basement and first
floor of the building for $3,5 500 a year,
for one five or fifteen years. The sec
ond and third floors ought to pay m
surance and taxes on the property Ihe
taxes Will be about $3.50 a year. and
the third floor is renting now for dane
ing purposes for $3.50. think the build
ing will pay per cent interest on SoO,-
OOO.''
Mr. Bird further said Col. Veale had
suggested trading the building Tor an
auditorium site. providing the city could
ficient boot to get full value out OF
the city building. The suggestion was
looked upon with favor by the commit
tee, providing any one had that kind
of an offer to make.
Michael Heery was asked what he
thought the building was worth, and
said: 1T is worth $50,000. but it may
not bring that much. In three years
believe it will bring $4,000"
P. w Griggs thought it ought to sell
for S45. 900, and Mr.. GODDARD expressed
the opinion that it would greatly ad-
vance in value in the next few years
w c. Stephenson suggested that
stock company be formed among To-
peka capitalists to take the building off
the hands of the city
Nearly all the members of the COM
rnittee thought that purchaser for the
property could be found if the proper
effort was put forth. and upon motion
of Mr. Troutman the committee decid-
ed to ask the council to submit it for
sale again, either by sealed bids, or in
any other manner it thought best.
Until the building is sold nothing fur
ther can be done about selecting a site
for the auditorium.