The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-28
FOR SUMMIT FLATS
CHARLES r, ARRoL WANTS A
PERMIT FOR APARTMENT
HOUSE
WOULD PUT 1T IN
FASHIONABLE ROW
Building Inspectors Office Consuits
Legal Department, and License Is
Refused-AppeaI May Be Made to
the, Courts-Flat Plans Are Compre
hensive.

tenement house is planned for
aristocratic Summit avenue
Touslled heads in front and the
family washing in the rear, can such
a sacrilege be tolerated?
c. f. ArTol, a we'll known real es-
tate man, threatens the invasion, and
he has filed plans for the building he
proposes to erect with City Building
Inspector Ellerbe Yesterday Mr.. Ar
rol asked for a permit, but on consul
tation with the legal department Mr.
Ellerbe refused the request, and now
Mr. Arrol threatens to appeal to the
courts.
The building, or rather apartment
house, that Mr.. Arrol desires to erect
is to be located on an eighty eight
foot lot on the south side of Summit
avenue, between st. Adams and Arun-
del, one of the most select and aristo-
cratic portions of the entire thorough
fare. Already Mr.. Arrors intentions
have become noised about and con-
sternation in consequence exists
among the residents of the near Vicin-
ity.
When his request for permit was
refused, Mr.. Arrol informed the de-
partment that he intended to invoke
the aid of the courts, and mandamus
proceedings in consequence are expect
ed at an early date.
Less than a year ago a similar in
vaSion was threatened by Minneapolis
parties, and from this was evolved the
law which now stands on the statute
books forbidding tenement or apa1<-
ment houses on the avenue. The pro-
moters went so far as to sink nearly
$4,000 in the foundation for the struc-
ture, but the indignation among the
residents of the avenue was so great
that 1t was quickly stopped, the coun-
ell aiding by passing a prohibitiVe or
dinance.
Is the Act Valid?
Doubt then was expressed as to the
validity of the act, but as the pro-
motors never asked for a permit for
the superstructure there was no chance
of testing it's constitutionality. The
general opinion was that those behind
the deal received cash consideration
to desist. Summit avenue is an ideal
location for a modern fiat building, and
not few have dreamed of the profits
that would accrue from such a sacril-
eye, but those controlling unimproved
lots have so far succeeded in keeping
it inviolate. Three did manage to get
an entrance some years ago. but those
who have tried since have run against
so many obstacles that they have been
glad to desist.
May Go to Legislature.
Much doubt is expressed as to the
authority of the council to dictate the
class of buildings that shall be erect
ed on Summit avenue, and it is now
proposed to go before the legislature
at its. next session and see if some
thing more binding cannot be secured.
The latest effort to invade the avenue
has caused not a little excitement and
it is expected that a meeting Of the
COLL n6
in few days to discuss the situation.
Flat Era Opens.
eff the prices for building material
are in reason and the labor market is
satisfactory, next year will see the
erection of the largest number of flat
buildings and apartment houses in the
history Of st. Paul"
This is the prediction of Building In
spector Ellerbe and he bases it on the
statements of a number of architects
and contractors who have been advised
to prepare for the rush to come. One
party alone, w. J. Walden, who deals
in this class of property, says that if
everything is satisfactory he will put
up the coming year between forty and
fifty new flat~buildingS, ranging from
three to four stories in height and con-
tanning from eight to twenty apart
ments of six and eight rooms each. Mr..
w alQOn mas ALREADY erected Twelve
buildings of this character so far this
year.
IT should not be surprised" said Mr..
Ellerbe yesterday, ito see erected this
coming year not far from $50 fiat build
ings. The number may even be ex-
ceeded. The only thing this year that
prevented the erection of more fat
buildings was the high cost of building
material"
Others who are figuring on increas-
ing their holdings of fiat buildings are
M. ]. OiNeil, P. J. Ryan and c. F. Ar
roll These men have built a number of
fiat buildings this year, but next year
will double the number.
The majority Of the fiat buildings in
Inspector Ellerbe's opinion will be con-
fined to the hill district. Considerable
ground had been bought for apartment
house purposes on the West Side, but
the number in that locality will be linn
tied.
The reason for this activity, it is said,
is the unusual demand for this char
acter of buildings. Every renting agen-
cy in the city has calls for apartments
in buildings Of this class almost daily,
but is unable to supply them. They
also rent we'll, something borne out by
the fact that where apartments in fiat