Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1908-06-12
CENTRAL SCHOOL BLOCK
GOVERNMENT! BUILDING
A Suggestion That That Site Might
Be Secured by the Government.

Among other good sites for the
| federal building the suitability of
the block on which the Central
school building stands is beginning
to have attention from citizens. The
idea that the school house block
might be available doubtless grew
out of the announcement made by
members of the school board a few
weeks ago that more room for pu-
| pills attending the Central building
will be an urgent necessity of the
near future
Asked yesterday whether the ru-
mors as TO the possibility of deal
between Uncle Sam and the school
board had any foundation, Sims Ely,
member of the board stated that no
proposition had been made to the
board and that very likely the board
itself would not initiate a proposal
to the government. He made some
interesting observations, however.
concerning the situation
1T might be a good thing for the
school district (Which comprises the
city," said Mr.. Ely, eff the demand
for an eligible site for the federal
building should result in a sale of
the Central school house block. The
school board is confronted by stu
alton which will soon develop into an
emergency. The Central building, as
well as some of the other school
buildings, was unduly crowded with
pupils during the coming year. Some
of the rooms last year were so
crowded that teachers could not give
proper attention to the pupils; not
i a.,
some of the teachers because of the
crowded condition of their roofs.
Some weeks ago the members of the
board discussed the matter and tenta-
lively reached the conclusion that
the only solution was the construc-
ton of another building on the Cen
trail block. This construction could
not be finished before the beginning
of the next term, however. for
proper bond issue would be the first
necessary step, so the matter was
passed up for the time.
1t would not be altogether salts
factory" continued Mr.. Ely, ito erect
a new building alongside the old
building, for we should then have a
modern building Joined to a struc-
ture that is many years out of date.
For many reasons il would be more
desirable to have an entirely new and
modern structure, designed and
equipped to meet the needs of the
city for some years to come. The
old building is not modern in any
sense. From the standpoint of mod
ern school house construction it is a
firetrap it is not sanitary, and the
heating system comprises the anti
quated stove-to heat the building
with stoves costs greatly in excess
of what the cost would be if we
had a heating plant But it is'not
practicable to tear down the old
building and build on the present
site. There are two solutions. One,
as l have indicated. a partial solu-
ton only. is to build an addition to
the present building, the other is to
sell the property, buy a block else
where, and put a new structure.
In our discussion of a few weeks
ago it had not occurred to us that
it would be feasible to sell the pro-
perty but I am now told that there
is a possibility that the board may
receive an offer, for it. 1 suppose
that if we should receive an offer, !
J
ested in the location of the federal |
building In that feature l am not |
nor are my colleagues of |
the board. l have not had time to |
see Col. Coggins about the matter |
but l have talked with Mr.. Campbell /
the other member of the board. |
Should it be made plain to the board |
that it is to the financial interest of .
the district to dispose of the Cen
trail block, or a part of it, l am con-
fident the board would not hesitate
TO take favorable action. But we 1
will have to be shown" and if any Il
thing is done the public will be con-
'erred with and taken into our con-
,idence at every step
In fact, nothing could be done in
he way of selling the property and
)uying other property for school pur-
poses, without explicit direction
rom the people to the board I'm
Ter the law, the board would have to
all a public meeting of the electors
If the district. and in the call, spe-
,ify the propositions to be voted upon
It the meeting. For example, if it
vas proposed to submit offers to the
BOARD to buy the Central block and to
ell to the board another block, it
would be necessary to give ten days
lotice of the meeting. the proposals
'eing laid before the electors, they
would authorize the board to accept ;
II reject the offers. / am free to
ay that I don't know what the Cen .
raj block is worth. | am told, how .
Yer, that we might be able TO get
fifty thousand dollars for it In ad-
itiOn to that, or any other price !
here would of course be some sal !
age from the old building. If the
rice were $4,000, for example, and !
We could buy a block satisfactorily
Dcated for, say. $4,000. that would
i've the district a profit of 1000 !
0 apply on the construction of
ew and modern building. But S40,- /.
90 would not be enough for such a .
rammar school building as Phoenix
eeds; we should probably have to D..