The San Francisco call., 1901-12-05
LIBRARY SITE
To De SELECTED
Supervisors Committee
Will Frame Report
Tomorrow.
Members of Mechanics Insti-
tute to Discuss Sale Of
Pavilion.

Denmte action is likely to be taken this
week in the matter of the proposed ac-
QUESTION by the city of San Francisco of
the Mechanics Pavilion property for the
site OF the Carnegie Public Library.
Although the municipal authorities and
the trustees of the Mechanics Institute do
not agree as to the value of the property,
it is believed that a satisfactory arrange
ment will shortly be effected.
Inc trustees of the Mechanics Institute
ask $l5O,OOO for the Pavilion property,
Whlle the Board of: Supervisors think
$3.50, 900 is sufficient
Inc Committee on judiciary and Public
Utllltles OF the Board of Supervisors meets
tomorrow afternoon at o'clock and will
report upon the question to the board
On Saturday night at o'clock the quar-
terly meeting Of the members of the Me-
cnanlcS institute will be held and the sale
OF the PAVILION property will be thor
Ougnly discussed.
The sentiment among the majority of
the members of the Mechanics Institute
is that the Pavilion site should bring $780,
( 600 and should the city undertake to ac-
qu1re it by condemnation proceedings for
less sum there is likely to be a legal
Wrangle.
Refuse to Accept Experts Report.
When Andrew Carnegie offered quar-
Ter OF million dollars to the people of
san francisco for the erection of pub
suitable site be furnished for the building
"A number of locations were mentioned
and hnally Mayor Phelan asked the trus-
tees of the Mechanics Institute if it
would donate or sell the Pavilion lot
Inc trustees replied that they would sell
and engaged three experts to value the
property.
The experts, reported that the site was
worth $600,0O0 and the improvements $50
co., but the trustees were not satisfied
with the report. The members of the in
oH HxriSn Sn6 hHYt I-tc 1anf fO
accept the figures of the experts, but 10
offer the property to the city for $750,000
The majority of the trustees are of the
opinion that $750,000 should be paid for the
Pavilion site. The building cost $100. 900
and the site was purchased in 1881 for
Sl75,6OO. The trustees think that as they
money if the city buys the site that in
tereSt ought to be allowed on the experts
valuation. Then the trustees state that
their tenants on the Hayes-street side Of
the Pavilion would Vacate as soon as the
sale was completed and the institute
would lose the rent. Another reason
given by the trustees for asking $750,000 is
that the validity of the proposed bonds to
buy the site will have to be passed upon
by the Supreme Court, and though the
sale might be perfected, the institute
would be unable to make contracts to rent
the Pavilion, as the uncertainty of the sit
uation would not allow them to guarantee
the contracts.
Proceedings to Date.
The proceedings taken by the Board of
Supervisors to date are as follows:
On October the trustees of the Mechanics
Institute offered the Pavilion property to the
city for $3.50. 600.
On November II last the board allowed
resolution to be filed to authorize the Board of
Public Works to file appraisements of value
of the Mechanics Pavilion site and the Fair
estate property, bounded by Powell, Sacra-
mento Mason and California streets. The
resolution was approved on November Is.
On November Is the Board of Public Works
filed the appraisements with / Board of Su-
pervisors. The Mechanics Pavilion site was
valued at $600000 and the improvements at
$4,000 The Fair estate property was appraised
at S225, ,OOO
The Board of Supervisors after considering
the report decided to purchase the Pavilion
property for s650,000. On November 25 a bill
was passed to print providing for the acquisi-
tion of the property and the issuance of the
necessary bonds.
The City Attorney. however rendered de-
cision that the wording of the bill was de-
fective and the entire matter was sent back
to the Committee Judiciary and Public Util-
tiles for a new bill to be drafted.
The report of the committee to be made
tomorrow afternoon is awaited with con-
siderable interest by the members of the
Mechanics Institute, who will themselves
take hand in the matter on Saturday
night.