The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-28
CITY TO BUY AND SELL LANDS.
COUNCIL LAYING PLANS TO TRADE
MUNICIPAL REAL ESTATE.

Committee on City Lots Receives OF.
fers of Property for street Opening
Purposes, and Also Propositions e
Buy City Property Not in Use-OId
DispcnSary Property at Whitaker
and state May Go to De kaIb Lodge
of odd FeIIows-AIdermnn VIII
Ifnms' Policy Is to Open Up and
Encourage Those Sections Where
the People Are BuiIding-The Per-
mitS Issued This Month Show
BriskneSs in the Building Boom.
Attention is being given by the commit
tee of Council on opening streets to the
development of the city by the purchase
Of land for street opening purposes in the
sections where the growth is considered
most promising This is not looked upon
as discrimination. since it is the policy of
the city to develop and encourage the sec
tons that are coming to the front.
At a meeting of the committee on city
lots at the city exchange yesterday some
time was given to proposals to buy and
sell property. There is evidence of con-
siderable activity in real estate by the
city, as there seem to have come to Coun-
Gil, rather Unexpectedly, propositions
which. if accepted. Will bring about the
transfer of a large amount of property.
DeKalb Lodge of odd Fellows is anxious
TO buy the old city dispensary property
at State and Whitaker streets, while other
purchasers want city real estate in the
southeastern section. With the proposals
10 buy came a number of offers of prop
erty the city wants for street opening
purposes, and which will likely be obtained
in the near future.
Alderman Williams, chairman of the
committee on city lots, said that he favors
the proposition of DeKalb lodge TO buy
the old dispensary property, as it is not
of any great value 20 the city, and the
amount offered for it can be used to good
advantage by the city. This is not the
first time the lodge has made an effort
to get the lot by bringing the matter TO
the attention of Council, but il is prob
ably the first time the proposition has
been favorably considered. If the lot
is bought, the lodge will add the building
to the Metropolitan Hall, which il owns,
hight TO give the new building an attrac-
tive appearance There may be some
trouble in agreeing upon the price, but
when this is done the sale is pretty sure
TO follow, as it is understood about all
the aldermen favor letting the property
go If what is considered a fair price can
be obtained.
The street opening committee is moving
straight to the front" said Alderman WI
I.aTrrf all
property In Bull street extension an
fences and buildings have been removed
and everything got in shape TO put down
the curling. It win not be a great while
before we shall be bic to throw open Hab-
crsham and Price streets as far out as
Twelfth street. Ninth street Is opened as
far as the Ogeechee road. By opening these
streets with others now under contempla-
ton the city only considers il is keeping
pace with those who are building and
helping to develop these sections. a good
deal has been accomplished by former
Councils In the opening or streets, but we
propose 20 acquire properly at rates that
VIII give US a record in this department.
II was doubtless thought for a time that
the large amount spent by our predeces-
soTs would handicap tins present board in
carrying out its intentions. The deficit in
the budget has long since been made up
however. ana we are now prepared to so
ahead, and open up territory around the
city as fast AS thrifty citizens care TO
build"
That the committee in buying more prop
erty for street opening has caught the
cue 10 the situation is evidenced by the
large number of building permits issued
this month, and also the amount of build :
ing now in progress.
The fact that building has taken a new
start in Savannah is an indication that
il viii be kept up for some time. There is
substantial wealth and desire TO make
something permanent behind the present
movement. and nothing in the nature of a
real estate boom in the common accepta-
ton OF that term. Property in all parts
of the city has commanded good values
but there have been no demoralizing in,
fiations. This is taken as an indication
that transfers have only started, and that
the building season is yet to reach its
hight
When the present Council went into Of
flee some of the aldermen said they were
unable to get any exact Information as TO
what the city really owns in the way of
real estate. This was due, probably. 10
the fact that the lands in the southeastern
section were being put to no use, and
were therefore, little thought Of Now
that an accurate record has been obtain
ed, the board seems to have concluded that
The cash win be worth more TO the CITY
than some of the property ii holds. and
has about made up its mind to let il go
while good prices may be commanded