The Virginia enterprise., 1909-10-15
PROPOSES 4 NEW COURT HOUSE SITE

D. w. freeman Brooches idea of Con
demoing Balance Of Block 43
for Such Purpose.
The Enterprise is in receipt of thu
following communication from D
W. Freeman, of Fveleth, anent the
question of site for the proposed
new court house and the preserva
tion of the park site, embracing a
number of ideas worthy of more
than passing note. causing us to
produce the same in full, as follows
EvK1ETH, MIMI, Oct. IL, 1909.
To the Editors of the Virginia En-.
terprise and Virginian.
Gentlemen:
"Having noted with much regret
as reported in your papers and the
Range Departments of the Duluth
dailies, the somewhat embittered
discussion now going on in your
city (my former home for Is years.
in regard to the disposition of the
city park lands, the location of the
proposed county building and the
reopening of the condemnation pro
ceedings under which the park was
purchased, take the liberty of call.
ing your attention to a few facts
that have been overlooked in the
discussion, 80 far as one can Judge
of such discussion and its ramifica.
tions through reading the public
prints.
"First. Even if it is a fact tina I
certain city officials voted for and
signed the various measures and
resolutions leading up to the final
acquisition of Block 43, under the
impression that it was to be turned
over to the county, or sold to the
county at cost whenever it should
be needed for a county building
site, is that any reason why prop.
erty in that block should be al.
lowed to come in at this late date
and expect to have a claim for in
creased compensation recognized:
All the owners had ample time to
appeal from the award Of the ap
praisers and most of the criticism
at that time was directed toward
hat 0f
ous figure the owners were secur-
ing from the city. If any of the for.
mer owners are going to be allowed
more money for their lots because
real estate all over Virginia has
advanced fifty per cent. in the last
six months, why should all of us
not participate? l for one don't
want any more. We all got fair
price-a high price-at the time:
let the increased value be a city
asset.
"Second. Granting again that
certain city officials voted for the
park measures with the under.
standing that the whole block was
going to be turned over to the
county whenever needed, did not
the voters of the city of Virginia
adopt home rule charter after
the park had been acquired and
does not that charter contain the
following very definite provisions
"Sec. 2ll. Powers. Said commits.
sion shall have the exclusive man
agement and control of the parl
fund and of all lands which have
been or may be acquired for parke
or parkways. and such lands shall
not be alienated or diverted TO,
other uses, but shall remain for
ever parkways, for the use and en-.
joyment of the inhabitants of the
city. subject to the regulation aud
control of said commission"
"If it is such sure thing that il
is best for the people to have thi.
one and only park sold or given tc
the county for building purposes
why not propose a charter amend
ment and let the people vote on the
question? 1t certainly cannot be
legally done in any other way.
Third. A compromise has oc
Cured to me on this court hous,
site question and am quite will
ing, if you approve of it, that yo,
push it along as your own idea
Why cannot the county acquire, b,
purchase or condemnation, the re
naming six lots in Block 43 ant
the two houses standing thereon
This would give site Is by 25'
feet in size with frontage on thre'
streets and the park on the fourtl
side. This site would certainly b.
cheaper than purchasing hal
block with eight or ten houses i,
another portion of the city and i
would satisfy those who desire t
see the county building in tn
park because of added artist
beauty that would be likely to fol
low both in the building itself an
the planning of the park. The lc
cation of the structure itself woul,
be a compromise between thos
who want to see all improvement
made and all buildings located a
near as possible to the corner @
Chestnut street and Wyomin,
Avenue 80 as TO hold the center O
business there, and those who bt