The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-06-06
WOULD HAVE CIVIC
CENTER
Howard E. Gray Discusses
Grouping of ALI Public
Buildings.
PROVIDE FOR FUTURE
Would Locate Y. M. G. A.
and Library Buildings
Facing the Park.


written a letter to the Daily World
favoring the location of all the pub
lie buildings of the city in a group
as much as possible. He suggests
that the Y M. G.. A. and the public
library be located about the park,
and that all future public buildings
| be located the same way. The let
ter is as follows:
Wenatchee, June 4, 1910.
Editor Wenatchee Daily World
Since locating in Wenatchees
have been impressed not only with
our Importance as commercial cen
ter; with both our natural and arti-
fetal beauty, but more than any
thing else, with our possibilities, to
one of which, in particular, l wish
to direct the attention of your read
ers.
Seattle, Portland, San Francisco
and all other cities of Importance
throughout the country and of the
world, are spending large sums, and
in many cases, millions of dollars in
system of parks, Fairgrounds, and
places for public entertainment, rest
and recreation In so doing, their
desire is to locate these places where
the greatest amount of comfort may
be supplied to the greatest number
of people and the maximum of beau
ty be added to the city. To attain
this result it has been necessary to
devote, what were formerly the best
business locations, to the common
welfare thereby necessitating the
expenditure of vast sums of money
toward buying in these locations and
removing buildings. Even at so great
cost, the results are poor indeed
compared to what might have been
accomplished had there been definite
plans in these respects in an earlier
stage of the city's growth. If such
| had been the case, there would have
| been more option in the selection ana
extent of the grounds, while the park
| system as a whole could have been
worked out much more scientifically
and artistically, and the result would
| have been a great deal more salts
| factory to the public. At the same
| time there might have been some
Cd n
the location and grouping of the pub
lie buildings. AS it is, they are uSu-
ally found scattered promiscuously
over the city, so that buildings of
similar character and which should
have been in close proximity are Of
ten on opposite sides of the city.
1t has been said that the wise pro-
fit by the mistakes of others. Thus
we, while in comparatively incipi-
ent stage of growth, should profit by
what larger cities have found out
to their sorrow and loss; and, TAX
ing time by the forelock, provide for
the needs, welfare, and comfort of
our future metropolis.
Wenatchee has been fortunate in
deed in the location of her park. A
glimpse of the throngs to be found
there any evening will convince the
most casual observer of its POPULARITY.
From this beautiful little park many
of the most important streets and
avenues of our city radiate in nearly
all directions, making this the ma
tural civic center of Wenatchee.
In this our citizens and those in
authority have planned wisely and
made it possible for the grouping of
our public buildings around this
magnificent center, in such a way
as to afford the greatest possible con-
venience, beauty and value to the
city. 1t is the opinion of the writer
that all of the property lying ada
cent to the park, on all sides, should
be owned by the city, or at least
made available, so that any and all
public buildings, whether for the
city, county, state or national gov
eminent, may be located here.
We are soon to have public Ii
brary, a splendid new Y M. c. A.
| building, and in all probability 1t
will not be a great while till we
shall have 100000 federal build
ing, and a new, beautiful and mod
ern courthouse The location of all
these buildings is a question of vital
importance to our future welfare;
so in this, let us make no mistake!