Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-03-01
FOR A CAPITOL PARK.
PLAN TO RAE SIX BLOCKS AT
MADISON BETWEEN STATE
HOUSE AND MONONA.
IDEA OF SENATOR STOUT.
Options of Nearly 100000 Worth of
Property Have Already Been Sc
cured by Grant Thomas.

A proposition is being agltated here to
purchase the entire tract of land two
blocks wide extending from the Capitol
Park to Lake Monona for a state park
1t will cost approximately $2,OOO,OOO.
The plan has been discussed for some
time but at the request of those behind
it no publicity was given it until re-
leased. The secret leaked out, however,
before the time for official publication.
The capitol commission and the joint
committee of the Legislature on capitol
are holding meeting today at which
the material which will be used in the
new state house will be determined and
the park proposition given consideration.
To Rae Six City Blocks.
Senator Stout of Menominee is behind
the project The proposed park covers
six of the best business and residence
blocks in Madison, extending from the
southeastern part of Capitol park to
Lake MOnona. Some of the finest resi-
dences and larger business blocks Ill the
city would have to be town down.
For some weeks past Grant Thomas,
real estate agent, has been quietly secur-
ing options on the property desired, at
the inStigatiOn of Senator Stout. The
greatest secrecy has been maintained as
to the ultimate object of the Would-be
purcha serS. and by accident the project
was made public. With the exception of
two property owners, who own consider
able property in the desired plat options
have been secured totaiing some 81, 6OO,-
900. Members of the Legislature, in
Guiding members of the capitol commits
sion profess entire ignorance of the pro-
ject
Notable Buildings in Tract.
The property desired is two blocks fac
ing Main street, from Carroll to Pink
ney, two blocks on Doty between the
same two streets. and two blocks front
ing on Wilson street with the same
boundaries 1t includes on Main street
block, the Tenny block, and the Mills es-
tate property. The Pioneer block. owned
by William +. Villas, the Bank of Wis
consin, the Klauber property, and the
Fairchid property, with other smaller
property owners
On Monona avenue it includes the
| Avenue hotel the Elks clubhouse, the
| Dorm estate, the Atwood estate, the Mills
| estate, and the Frank Hoyt, E. l.. Lem
on, DR.. Mack. George Curran, and DR..
Smith properties.
On Wilson street it includes the DR..
Rodney Fox and the Fairchild property,
the entire block facing the lake, the Will
liam Askew and the Mills estates, the
Cantwell estate. and the Robson estate.
The DR.. Frank Bowman, a. O. Wright,
DR.. Harper Louis Sumner, and Edwin
Sumner properties are also included fac
ing on Carroll, Doty, and Pinkney
streets.
Private Funds to Aid.
The idea of Senator Stout is for the
state to acquire the title to this property
and within the next ten years have all
buildings removed, making it into large
park facing upon the capitol building
J from Lake Monona. 1t is reported in
Madison that Senator Stout is so inter
ested in his project that he will offer the
state 100000 towards perfecting his
scheme and that two other prominent
citizens. Senator Hatten and Charles
Pfster of Milwaukee, will offer like
sum each.
SO far have the plans gone that with
the exception of the William +. Villas
property and the Bowman property OPP
tons have been secured for sixty days
dura ton. This indicat ties that the matter
will be presented at any early date for
considera ton by the Legislature. While
all the options have been really taken
by Grant Thomas other real estate own
ers have secured many Of them, turning
them over to him. Mr.. Thomas admits
he is working in the interests of Senator
Stout and believes that the property can
all be secured inside of the $2,OOO,OOO
estimate.
Must Change Capitol Plans.
Senator John NJ. Whitehead, who is
a member of the Senate committee on
the capitol, said that should the project
be adopted it would necessitate the
changing of the present plans for the
new capitol so as to bring it up. square!y
facing the proposed park. This he did
not think would be any serious objection.
Governor Says Plan Is Late.
The capitol commission met this after
noon to open bids and inspect stone for
the building. Gov. Davidson said OF the
proposed capitol park:
"Of course the capitol commission can
not act on this proposition until the Leg
islature has 1t would have been more
opportune time to have presented the
scheme two years ago, as we had $1,SOO,-
900 which would have been sufficient to
buy up six blocks contemplated in the
| purchase. Now that money is gone into
the general fund and in consequence no