The Detroit times., 1909-07-21
UNION
DEPOT TALKED OF
Wabash's Scheme of Two Years Ago
May Be Revived as Result of 0ppo-
sition To M. C.'s Plans.

A solution for the union railroad
station problem may be had even IL
the Michigan Central does not accept
the terms laid down by the council in
the new ordinance that is being drawn
up, or is prevented from going anead
by the opposition of the people living
between the present tracks and Bak-
er-st.
ly to be the result In such case
with the Wabash railroad as the lead
or. The fact that the Wabash has
already petitioned the council to va
cate to 1t Seventh-st., below Fort-st
and that vacation OF Sixth and Con
gress-sts.. in case Seventh is vacated,
is already talked Of, gives color %
this story which has leaked out since
the opposition to the Michigan Cen
trail plans developed
Two years ago there was a plan
on foot to include all the land be
tween Third and Eighth-sts. and lying
between Fort-st. west and Jefferson
ave. in big downtown passenger
and freight station project. The Wa
bash was most heavily interested with
the understanding that other roads
would come in later.
But one of the pieces of land con-
sidered necessary was purchased by
a commercial concern for about $751;
900 and then the railroad was asked
$4,000 for the ground. II refused,
and the project was dropped. inas-
much as internal troubles developed
in the Wabash management about that
time Since then the company which
purchased the land has erected a
building worth several hundred thous-
ands OF dollars, so that. IL the down
town station project is revived, this
particular plot of ground will have
TO be left out of consideration as
too expensive.
One Of the problems that the coun-
Gill will have to settle If the plans
of the Michigan Central are acqulescsd
In Is the opening and widening of
streets to provide convenient street
car service TO the new station. Tho
plan OF the council committee pro.
vides for a loop line running from
Michigan-ave. out Dalzelle-st., thence
down Fifteenth-st. past the station
and back TO Michtgan-ave. by way OF
Marantette and Church-sts.
To make this practical DalZelle st.
would have TO be Widened, and either
opened through to Michigan-ave. or
changes made In Twelfth-st to allow
OF running the cars down that thor
oughfare from Michiean-ave. TO Dal.
zelle-st An awkward jog at Twelfth
st. where Maraptette and Church-sts.
do not quite meet would also call for
some expense.
Another attempt to reach an amic-
able agreement between the aldermen,
Michigan Central officials and resi-
dents In the district surrounding the
site OF the proposed new terminal sta
ton will be made. Thursday morning,
when q conference will be held in the
city hall
A view Of the situation being argued
in the city hall is that the council has
power TO abrogate the grade crossing
agreement with the Michigan Central
as far as the streets between the
tracks and Baker-st are concerned,
and then simply order the grade of
the street lowered, thus escaping dam.
ages. Ir this Is attempted, the proper
ty-owners will secure an injunction.
There Is specific grade separation
law and the carrying out OF the Mich.
fgan Central plans would nececssitate
grade separation, and thus. in all prob
ability, come under that law.