Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-09-28

The Board of Education four years
ago purchased the Ripley property at
the corner of Alpine street and johnson
avenue for school purposes for $40, 600
1t is argued by vast majority of the
property owners in the southern sec
ton of the city that the site Is topo-
graphically bad for the purpose for
which it was intended Additional law
would be required in order to complete
the elaborate plans that are contem-
plated. Therefore, the site would in
the end cost twice If not thrice the
original amount.
Urge Hussinger Property for Site.
The same vast majority of property
owners argue further that the most
desirable. most accessible. most suit
able location for the new high school
Is the Hassinger property on Clinton
HILL This property can be bought by
the school board for $4,000 or $780,
and it Is understood that the Hassinger
people would consent to take over the
Ripley estate in order to complete the
transaction.
The Hassinger tract has a frontage.
on Clinton avenue of $50 feet and the8
entire plot is $50 by 400 feet. 1t is ideally
situated for a high school. The eleva-
tion Is high, and it is convenient To
all trolley cars. 1t would permit of
the building of an architectural gem
such as the school board contemplates
In the proposed expenditure of s35O000
Neighboring property would be greatly
enhanced In value. and it is argued
that for thirty or forty years to come
1t would be more of a south side cenl
tral than the Alpine street site, the
property just south of which still re-
mains undeveloped.
Protests Have Delayed Action.
The Clinton Hill people say that it
would almost be a crime to hide the
expenditure of SO much money in such
an out-of-the-way section. Protests
against the present plan have become
SO strong that the school board has
delayed all steps, and will now give
the subject more careful consideration
than ever.
The school board plans to erect a
building that will accommodate from
1,200 to I400 pupils. The building will
no doubt be SO constructed as to en-
able therein the establishment of a
sub-library, large auditorium for lee
lures, etc. The latter is something
urgently needed in that section of the
city. The demand for the night school
in that section has also been clearly
established, and the new building will
no doubt contain those accommoda-
tons, too. The summer school in the
southern section of the city for the
season just closed was very success
ful, and provision for that feature viii
no doubt be made in the new build
ing. Because of all these features a
central location is needed.
Speaking of the matter today to an
EVENING STAR reporter Dr. Bleick
said:
Everybody Admits Need of school.
Everybody admits that the south
side high school is a necessity. The
school board shows by the announces
ment that it proposes to erect a build
ing to cost s35O.0oO that it intends to
give us good building Therefore the
only thing left to be considered is the
proper site. The Alpine street selec-
ton won't do at all and 1 firmly believe
that the school board will see that it
erred We have recommended the
Hassinger tract in Clinton avenue and
think that the Board of Education
will eventually see the wisdom of our
suggestion. Nothing but the best mo-
tives prompt us to urge the school
board to change it's site selection
Ninety per cent. of the people In the
south side want the Clinton avenue
site 1t is the best location for hun
dreds of reasons, many of which our
committee will advance tomorrow night
at the board meeting. If the Ripley
site was finally decided upon additional
property would have to be acquired,
and before the end came the cost would
equal that of the Hassinger tract. Prop
erty along Clinton avenue is increasing
in value all the time and a speedy in
vestment would be wise one. The
Hassinger people are willing to sell for
school purposes. and l understand that
they would take over the Ripley prop
erty in the deal. A more healthy spot
than the Hassinger tract could not be
chosen. 1t would permit of play
ground as well. The Ripley site en-
virons are nothing as compared with
the Hassinger tract.
Figures were prepared to show the
need of the high school In the south
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