The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-19
]. u. Barnes Thinks It's Time for
More Grouping.
FIRST AVENUES OPPORTUNITY
Chance to Make Minneapolis Wall
Street on Second Avenue
South, He Says.

The lack of the grouping Of the diff
ferent centers of industry in Minneapolis
has been matter Of note for years. The
city is yet young and is only now be-
ginning to find itself. An attempt is be-
ing made to centraliZe the implement in
dustries. The wholesale district is find
ing its level. Furniture will settle on
the East Side and indications are that
gradual adjustment will take place. This
scattering Of utilities is most easily illus
trated to the public by calling to mind the
location of railway stations.
This and the crowded condition of the
banking institutions on Fourth street and
the inevita ble--as it is regarded-move
of the Security and Northwestern banks,
has brought forciby to the attention of
J. U. Barnes, president of the Minnesota
Title Insurance and Trust company and
prominent member Of the Real Estate
board, the desirability Of all agreement
or plan among real estate owners as to
the location of future business institu-
tons. Mr.. Barnes says:
I believe with others that real estate is go
ing to move in Minneapolis. This city has
not by any means got its growth. Its pros
poets are most excellent. and those most in
terested in the city should plan for future
growth.
In times past no attention has been paid to
the grouping of different classes Of busin ess,
or to what localities should be occupied by
different classes for convenience in the trans
action Of business. For instance, .Nicollet
avenue has become one of the best business
streets in the entire west, almost without
planning; but the lower part Of the street
has lost its prestige because of inattention.
Hennepir avenue should have been one Of
the best streets in the city, but has to some
extent lost its opportunities because of lack
Of attention by property owners. Matters
with regard to that and many other streets
have been allowed simply to drift with the
tide. ....--.s..
Now it seems to me that with the prospect
of rapid growth in the near future, should
plan for enlargement OF the commercial
business center upon such streets as will be
best. We should plan for permanent whole,
sale districts, permanent and convenient rail-
road facilities, and for financial center.
In my estimation, holders of property on
First avenue S have it in their hands to
make that almost as good commercial street
as Nicollet avenue. All that is needed is a
good mercantile building at the corner of
First avenue and Fifth street. and a few
other frst-class mercantile buildings farther
up the avenue. These, If put in soon, would
give the avenue character and make its flu
ture The same may be said of SEVENTH
street, which in my opinion is to be the best
cross street in the city, although many do
not yet see it so. g. -- .
A Minneapolis Wall Street.
AS to the financial center, there has been
an impression that Fourth street S was to
become the banking center, but I do not re-
gard the matter yet by any means settled.
Several Of the banking institutions on this
street are alreaay crowded for space, ana,
with the exception Of the Farmers and Me-
chanics' Savings bank, none of them own the
buildings in which they are located. 1t seems
to me the owners of the property on Second
avenue S have it entirely within their power
to make that avenue from Fourth to Sixth
the Wall street of Minneapolis. Nearly all
tho present improvements are of light char
acter and can easily be removed. Nearly all
the property is owned by wealthy men who
can If they will put in frst-class office build
ings, and some of the owners are so inter-
ested in other properties in this locality that
it would seem to be to their interest to do SO.
I could name other matters of import re-
garding tho city's future which vitality affect
real estate and the city's welfare, and insist
that real estate agents and especially prop
erty owners should take a large view of the
situation and plan for the building of this
city into q metropolis which shall measure up
to the splendid opportunity which certainly is
within our reach.