The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-24

Approval of the Bertrand plan for
establishing civic center in Mime
apolis, as outlined in the Sunday jour
nal, is to be heard on every hand. AL
most without exception commentator
of the whole suggestion for improving
the appioash ad to the city from rom the union
sition Of the sugggestion i with it's colored
illustration and detail drawing, has
aroused an enthusiasm for the beauti-
fcation of the entry to the city and the
establishment of a civic center, that
has practically assured that ways and
means for carrying out the scheme will
be evolved at an early date.
One Of the strongest arguments Of
fered for the contamination of any good
plan for making an approach to. the
business center, that shall always be
monument to the foresight Of the citi-
zens of today, is the fact that it will
enhance the value Of the lower part OF
the city and will make due return for
any municipal expenditure that may be
made.
Good Advertisement.
From an advertising standpoint, it is
urged also, Minneapolis could not place
similar sum Of money to better advan-
tage, as the first impression that a
stranger receives in entering the city,
w
eradicate. Tours of the park system
and an exhibition of the fine homes, the
marvellous manufacturing district, and
the substantial wholesale center, it is
said, will hardly offset the picture that
the surroundings of a union station
| present.
With the beautiful entrance for which
Mr.. Bertrand has made suggestive draw
ings an accomplished fact, Minneapo-
lis would not fail to make a good and
everlasting impression on visitors, as
well as to raise the city in the estima-
ton of it's own citizens.
Mayor Is Enthusiastic.
Interviews are almost monotonous in
suggested as witness the following:
Minneapolitans must not forget that
their city has passed the limits of a
village and is now in metropolitan
clothes,' says Mayor David P. Jones,
eve must improve our opportunities
under the present favorable conditions,
for they may not come again. Once
petus we now have it may be a diff
fcult matter to get back. The present
is the golden opportunity and Mime
apolis should be thoroly aroused on the
subject. 1.
II have not had an opportunity to
study Mr.. Bertrand s plan, but whether
the entrance or plaza is made at Bridge
square with a magnificent hotel on the
site of the Nicollet house as a back
ground, or further south with the court.
house and city hall as background, is
not a matter of great Importance. -"
eve want a federal building and a
new union station. The former should
be the focus around which to work
Get the right location for it and pre-
pare plans for the betterment of the
city in connection herewith"
Need the Entrance.
Senator John F. Calhoun said: "Tht
union station and city entrance plan
suggested in T he Journal, is on
that we need very much. It could b
carried out Just as we'll as not. It woult
improve all the property down tina
way and would really give value Re
ceived, both to the citizens general.
and to those who own the property in
volved If they are not able to pa,
for it themselves, all the other propert:
holders ought to help for the time be
ing. It is an Improvement that ough
to be made.''
Andrew Rinker,r city engineer, said
|. "Mr. Bertrand's plan for the improve
ment of Bridge square is worthy o
= commentator and should secure tn
$ approval of all citizens. That part o
: the city has been going backward fo
. a score of years and this retrogresslo
+ could be stopped by some such plan a
!. has been proposed. The removal OF tn
Z, old city hall and the old buildings
q Center block for the creation of plaz
b would be a distinct gain to the city
K The expense would be considerable, bu
q, the benefits would soon return to tn
cjIV ~