Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-05-03


Free as the Money is All to be Returne
for "A Fund to Secure Factories.
At every period in the history Of tn
former village and now city of Belding
that some great thing was to be &C
complished to help the town grow, ex
pand and prosper, the Belding Bros
have always been found at the back o
all these propositions either directl,
or indirectly. They have at all time
and in all seasons been ready and willing
and anxious to do their full share, yes
aud more, that the city bearing theil
name might be sustained and grow il
prosperity. 1t is not our purpose a.
this time to discuss what they have
done in the past, it is in evidence fol
itself. What we wish to bring to your
attention now is a new proposition
from them and certainly one of the
best ever offered our citizens.
Their proposition is this: Along the
banks of the west side OF the river just
beyond the upper Main ST. bridge, they
have quite large tract of land, much
of it finely wooded and most admirably
adapted in its natural state for pub
lie park; this tract consisting of quite a
number OF acres they will sell to the
city for $4,000 for park purposes with
the distinct understanding and agree
ment that this entire sum will be re-
turned by them into the hands OF a
committee of citizens that may be Sc
lected to be held sacred for the purpose
OF securing the location OF manufactur-
ing industries in our city.
This means virtually that il our citi-
zens will raise a fund of $40 600 and use
it for their own benefit as opportunity
may offer, this fine park site will be
presented to the city absolutely free of
cost. And this liberal offer does not
stop here for they agree to pay 800 in
cash for every 5000 put upon it by our
citizens in improving it, and making it
inviting and lovely. 1t is proposed to
build driveway along the rivers edge
and another on the top of the hill, to
clean it out of bush, ETC., this year so
that it could be used for picnics, gath
erings, etc, and then by gradually do
ing some work each year in time it
could be made very handsome resort,
one which would not only be a source
of much pride to our citizens but of
much pleasure as we'll. There are a
dozen ways which will at once suggest
themselves to the mind OF the live citi-
zen in which it would be highly USE
ful and would enable US to obtain pic
mic gatherings, excursions, etc, which
we cannot now have on account of no
accommodations. No one surely can
question that it would be a valuable
addition to our city or that this piece
OF property is not as well fitted for
such purpose as any in the radius of
the city.
But what of the factory project men,
toned heretofore? 1t is not lost
sight of, in fact it is very much in sight.
AS has been said there has been con-
siderable discussion as to the legality
OF the city assuming the obligation of
paying the taxes for "a period Of years,
but here is way offered that clears
away all difficulties. The city buys
this land for park purposes, they get
tangible for the money, and
the owners of the land agree to turn
over the entire amount, every cent, TO a
TO be selected OF our citi
zens and by our citizens to be used for
a factory fund. Then anytime they
are ready to go ahead with the factory
project the way will be clear. This
would have entire control
over the disposition of this fund. They
would not have TO accept any PROPOSE
tion they did not consider advantageous
They would not be obliged to accept
the one recently made il they could get
a better one. 1t could all be used in
getting one big factory or for several
smaller ones as they thought best or
found advantageous. No strings will be
attached in this respect, believing
they will exercise good judgment, and
simply desiring that something be
lone along this line.
The mayor and city council were
taken over the proposed grounds We'd
nesday morning and stand ready to
call special election at any time our
citizens may desire to take vote upon
the proposition. They seemed inclined
10 regard it favorably in fact 1T seems
hard to understand how any progress
sive, enterprising, public spirited citi-
zen who wants to see our city prosper
and grow could help regarding 1t ia
vorably. IL is an offer not open to
every city. II is our opportunity. Are
you.ready TO take advantage OF it?