The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-24
NO BRICK PAVING,
Second Street Property Owners
So Decide In Conference.
ItsDesirabiIity Generally Rec0s-
nized But Expense is Felt to
be too Great to be
Adopted.

lQ0 meeting VI OOSOho ouI06G pro-
perty owners, between Cherry and
Byron streets, was held at the board of
trade rooms last evening and the ques-
ton of street improvement was fully
discussed. The meeting was organized
by the election of J. A. Ewing as
chairman and Fl. A. Patterson as
secretary. In addition to large rep
resentation of property owners, the
street committee of the council. Alder
men Taylor, Leonard and Eichsteadt and
City Engineer Thompson were present
The attendance was gratifyingly
large Either in person or by proxy
all but half dozen properties affected
by the present improvement were rep
resented, hence it was not difficult to
gain an unmistakable decision of the
wishes of the residents.
The reason for calling the meeting
was briefly stated as being for the pur-
pose of ascertaining whether or no t
South Second street was going to be
satisfied with the improvement now
under way or whether it would prefer
to put in a permanent improvement
in the way of brick paving.
Mr.. Brandrup said he would like to
know the relative cost of such a
change.
DR.. Andrews said that he had two
plans to suggest He had given the
question of brick paving much thought
and considered it the best. He thought
the street too wide for brick or any
other kind of paving. He favored,
first, narrowing the street to SO feet.
This would greatly reduce the cost of
paving. Second, he would favor park
ing the center of the street to width
of IA feet, making a driveway on
either side. He felt that this would
make beautiful street.
Attorney Benedict said that he was
present to represent the DR.. Warner
property. This property, he said, was
opposed to the present Improvement,
and would favor brick or some other
permanent paving material.
In answer to question as to the cost
of the present improvement and brick
paving by J. B. Richards, the city en-
gineer said that the work now under
way would cost nineteen or twenty
dollars for &C foot lot. He estimated
the cost of brick paving at about 81. so
per square yard. 1t had been done as
low as $1.15, but the former figure
should be taken as a basis. To pave
the present width of the street with
brick it would cost about $3.50 for each
&C foot lot. If the street was narrowed
to SO feet it would cost $1S7.
Mr.. Richards thought it was
throwing money to the BIRDS to
make the present improvement, and
he was opposed to brick paving for
two or three years. He thought by that
time that the property owners would
be able to stand the cost of permanent
paving.
Mr.. H. A. Patterson said that the
councils were being continually criti-
cised for expanding so much money on
Front street without any permanent
results. He believed that we should
begin paving in manner that would
stand He referred to the miserable
condition of our streets for driving,
and said that if we are to assume the
dimensions of city we must get away
from the mud.
DR.. Currier opposed paving. He said
he thought the improvement now I'M
der way would, if properly completed,
make a good street. Brick was too
noisy.
Mr.. Bode favored good street, and
thought that by mixing cement with
the gravel and thoroughly rolling it
good road would result.
Mr.. Blake, representing the Christian
church, said his church did not feel
able to favor brick paving. He referred
to the fine street near the entrance to
Sibley park. This roadway was made
of gravel and cement and rolled down.
1t was put down three years ago and
is still in perfect condition. If Second
street is made the same he felt it
would last for several years.
Mr.. Spencer opposed brick, largely
on the ground that it was too noisy on
a residence street. He was in favor of
a better street than the present work
gave promise of making. He favored
a thorough macadam street.
Mr.. Brandrup, while not personally
opposed to brick thought it best not
to make any changes in the present
plan.
Capt. Holmes, for the Christian
church, expressed himself likewise.
Mr.. Slade opposed brick paving on
account of the expense. A street like
Hickory street would please him best.
Mr.. Weed made motion that it be
the sense of the meeting that the pre-
sent contract be carried out. After
some further discussion, in which Mr..
Smyth said that he was not in favor
of paving at present, although he was
willing to do so if the majority so
ruled, and spoke for Mr.. Root who
was absent, but who favored brick, the
m otion was carried, and the meeting
The gathering was wholly good
and resulted in bringing to-
gether more South Second street neigh