Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-11
OBJECTION TO ENGINE HOUSE SITE
city Treasurer True Gives some of
the Reasons.

this Reasons.
City Treasurer True 10 OF the opinion
that there are several weighty reasons
why the proposed new central fire sta
ton should not be erected over Indian
Creek at the foot Of Bryant street. 1T
is the rankest folly, as l look at It. for
the city council to even consider the erec-
ton Of the rev centra, fire station over
indian creek declared Mr.. True yesterday
with due emphasis.
In the first place Mr.. True contends that
an equally suitable. IL not better site could
be secured by the city for less money
than City Engineer Dtnyre estimates the
cost Of the concrete supporting walls in
the creek will be. According to the city
engineer. the cost OF the concrete retain
ing walls will be at least 5000 and Mr..
True is OF tho opinion that a suitable site
for the proposed new building could be
secured for $500. In fact he says that
the agent for a site in the immediate
vicinity Of the present fire house has
offered the city enough ground there for
the proposed central fire station for $3.50.
True. like many others, is somewhat skep-
tical abotH the proposed concrete retain
ing walls on each side OF that turbulent
little stream proving a solid foundation
for the building. as there would always be
the possibility OF a washout in the event
of an extra heavy flood. Such a condi-
ton could not be possible, Mr.. True points
out. II the house was erected on terra
firma.
ut would be different" said Mr.. True,
'If there was no site except this little
triangular strip at the foot Of Bryant
street availa pie. but such is not the case
A suitable site can be obtained on either
.t1o 90 tIa prasapN b,,t1ltnu While I am
opposed to putting the new fire station
across the creek, I am not seking to draw
It down on Sixth or Seventh or any other
street. I have no ak to grind in the mat
ter at all, but there are two lots right
across the street from the present location,
either way, which would be just as good,
and In my opinion better sites than where
II is proposed to locate the building"
There is a question also as to whether
the city owns the triangular strip at the
foot Of Bryant street. There is nothing
to show that the city owns this property,
although II has been In possession OF It for
thirty years. The record title, however,
iF entirely lacking. Discussing this phase
OF the matter. City Treasurer True said,
"As a matter OF fact, the records OF the
court, as is well known to the city off,
cials and others who have investigated
the matter, rail- to show that the city
owns that particular plot Of ground where
the engine house now is. The city has
an abstract which fails to show the
scratch Of the pen whereby the city has
title to this property"
There would be another advantage. too.
OF building on other than the present site.'
declared Mr.. True. ut would permit the
=, present station TO be maintained during
the process of construction OF the new
building. When the new building was
completed. the city could either use the
present station for some other purpose. or
1t could sell the property, assuming that
it is owned by the city of course. to some
private party. The proceeds Of such sale
could be used toward defraying the cost
of the site for the new house,