The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-03
ISLAND MAY De
INDUSTRY MART
Rumored That Warehouses May
Be Built on Mayo
Property.
Mr.. GAY is SILENT
Refuses to Discuss Any Of His
Plans at This
Time.
Mr.. GAY IS SILENT

Within a few months after the con-
domination Of Mayo's bridge 1t Is not
imporable that Mayo's island will be
thronged with toiltng workmen dig
ging the foundations for a massive
warehouse.
A commission OF five members has
already been appointed to Sit in con-
domination proceedings. When these
proceedings have been concluded it
is rumored that the proposed build
ing operations, details OF which are
as yet only tentative. and which are
being kept entirely secret. Will be
given publicity.
Mr.. Ware b. Gay. president Of the
Mayo Bridge Company, refuses 10
make any statement regarding MS
plans for converting Mayo's island, at
present rather barren tract OF land,
into a mart of business industry. Even
if any definite arrangements had been
rnade-which he says is not the case
statement of his desires or hopes
would be inadvtsable at this time. he
thinks He even intimates that tx
might cause the commission TO lessen
the amount OF damages which VIII De
awarded TO the company incident 10
the condemnation proceedings
1t is rumored. however. that Mr..
Gay has been trying'to persuade GER
tain business concern with national
reputation to build a large warehouse
on the island and that II he succeeds
spurs OF trackage Will be laid on the
island by railroads, making the place
a shipping point OF no mean signifi-
canoe.
Building Road on Island.
AT present the island is the scene
of thriving activity, an almost inter-
minable chain OF dump cars are car
rving loads OF dirt across the bridge
and dumping II in such fashion as TO
result in the formation of a level dirt
road about thirty feet wide. This
road extends from the bridge almost to
the eastern end of the island. An
other winding road has already been
formed running along the northern
shore.
In between these roads is ravine.
not too deep. which will obviate the
necessity OF much digging for foun-
dations. and Easements of possible
warehouses.
Mr.. Gay says the work of dumping
has been going on for five or six years
Now. however. the roads are almost
and few more months AT
the latest viii witness the putting on
of the finishing touches.
Speaking OF the condemnation pro-
ceedings. Colonel Gay declared that
he hoped and believed that the COM
mission would give the company a fair
price for the bridge. II the price is
not considered fair, he said that the
company would take an appeal ana
fight the matter out In the higher
courts.
Original Cost $4,000.
The bridge was bought by the Mayo
Company more than twenty years ago.
The price paid Is reported to have
been $4,000. With the bridge the
company received Mayo's Island. and
property III the old city OF Manches-
ter and in Richmond. Recently the
company offered to sell the bridge,
exclusive OF tho island. which is now
valued at close to 100000 for $127,-
00c. This offer was rejected by the
Finance COMMITTEES AZ being excess
sive. The condemnation proceedings
are the result.
When It has hnaliy taken possession.
Of the bridge the city intends to buila
a new bridge at a cost OF about sSse,-
00G. 1t has been argued that this new
structure will serve 10 ttiu further In.
crease the value OF MAyo's Island, The
latter property = nov valued st Ssb~,
n