The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-19
PARKWAY TO CAPITOL
DOTTED WITH A GROUP OF PUB
Lie BUILDINGS IN SNOWY
MARBLE
GRAND PARK IS PROJECTED

Proposed to Make Magnificent
Boulevard From the Present
State Capitol Site to the New
Building and Stud the Plaza Be
tween Wabasha and Cedar
Streets With Public Buildings.
In connection with the progress of the
work on the new capitol and speculation
as to what will be done with the old
one, a suggestion has been made by an
eminent artist whose travels have made
him familiar with similar groupings else
where in the world.
In brief, the project is to take the ter
ritory between Exchange street and Uni
versity avenue and Wabasha and Cedar
streets. and in this magnificent boule-
ward erect, a. group Of public buildings
that would make the fame Of the city
worldwide. Drives and walks surround
ing them and cutting the park irrtg ularly
would make it place Of wonde; full
beauty.
1t would require a splendid outlay of
money, but it would give the city one of
the frest groups of public buildings in
the West, and location for them which
could not be surpassed. The expense
it Is urged by the author of the scheme
would not be greater than will ultimately
be expended, no doubt, in provisions for
the needs of the city.
The three squares between the site of
the present capitol and the new structure
are on an almost regular slope and would
be an ideal location for such a group.
One building could be devoted to the
State Historical society, which is in need
of a fire-proof building.
public library for the city could be
another.
An institute for the arts and sciences
could be another.
The much-needed auditorium could be
located near the lower end of the slope
A mansion for the governors residence
would be In order also.
In many Of the old cities Of the world
the plan Of grouping public buildings, ad
Joined by large and we'll kept grounds is
in favor, and after the cost of all has
been figured out, it has been proven that
this system Is more economical than iso-
lating each building.
The gentleman who has proposed the
plan stated to the G o b that 1t might
not be practicable or advisable for the
state lQ uHOSTlbkS 50 ldTSH Il pIOJSCI just
at present, but as a possibility for the
future, Minnesota rs one Of the most
progressive and rapidly growing states
in the Union, could sooner or later carry
through such q scheme.
Chief of the improvements on the prop
erty at present IS the power house Of the
Edison company, which will one day, no
doubt, be abandoned, due either to the In
PRODUCTION of the st. CroiX and Apple
river powers, or by it's own expansion
The other improvements in the blocks in
question are for the most part old.
Speculation is rife as TO what DISPOSE
tor will be made Of the present capitol
building when the new structure is COM
pleted, and ready for the reception of
the state officials, and their departments
Architect Cass Gilbert has suggested that
the old building be torn down.
1t was suggested some time ago that the
present building, when vacated. be turned
over to the city as a public library. Mr..
Gilbert, however, has. given it as his
opinion that the building is poorly adapt
ed fer library purposes, and for his own
part he believes that the building should
be torn down and some building that
would be an ornament to the city erect
ed in it's stead. 1t is argued by those who
believe that the state would have right
to transfer the property that If the
grounds were presented TO the city there
are certain wealthy men who would do
hate a sum sufficient to put Up a fine pub
lie library building and museum.