The Detroit times., 1911-05-04
BOOST in VAL UEs
OF 100000 IS
INDORSEO
Assessor Nagel Makes Stiff Increases
in Property Assessment. in Eastern
District and Board Of Review
Stands Behind Him.
Cook Farm Co. Is Hardest Hit, With
100 Per Cent Rise-Agent
Protests in Vain.

AFTER an hours heated discussion,
the board of review, Thursday morn
ing. adopted without change. the
figures OF Assessor John c. Nagel on
property on Jefferson-ave., in the
Owen park neighborhood; on Burns.
Seminole and Iroquois-aves. in the
Indian village" and in the big un-
improved tract from Kerchevalave.
to Gratiot-ave., held by the Cook
Farm Co. The increase on the Cook
farm tract alone is more than 100
percent, and adds between $4,000, 900
and $6,000,000 to the tax rolls. The
entire increase in the eastern dis
trict, Assessor Nagel said, would be
as high as $12.0000,000.
Jefferson-ave. figures are boosted
about 800 a foot under the new as
sessment, the choice property on the
south side, running to the river. be-
ing placed at $400 a foot. On Sem
mole, Iroquois and Burns-aves., for
two blocks, from Jefferson TO Agnes
ave-, lots that have been assessed
from $40 to $50 foot, are increased
to $75 From Agnes to st. Paul-ave..
the assessment Is $50 a foot, and
from st. Paul to Kercheval. s35. All
of these are stiff increases. At
Kercheval-ave., the big vacant Cook
farm property begins. This property
has been held for years. while the
city has built up thickly beyond 1t.
Land has been assessed at 1915, 81,
$3.50 and S5 foot. Nagel increased
IT to IS, IS, 8, $40 and $l2. Property
in the more favored localities which
had been assessed from $S to $40 was
bosted to from SIS to $40.
John owen, Jr., representing the
Cook farm interests. appeared before
the board, and protested against the
increases. saying that 1t would pre-
vent the development Of the prop
erty. Assessor Nagel met him with
the reply that il wouk force the de-
yelopment of land that had been let
lie vacant while It's value naturally
increased Nagel had taken a trip
through the city hall and secured the
signatures of about 20 clerks who
were willing 10 take the cream OF the
property at more than the assessed
valuation. Mr.. owen said that his
company would not have objected SC
seriously IL the increase had been
made gradually over a period of years,
but protested that 1t would be a
black-eye to have it boosted suddenly
to such an extent. Assessor Nagel
was supported by Aid. O'Brien, Wat
son and Mason, of the committee, and
in nearly all of his increases by Aid.
Grindley, Vernon -Field.-
Owen then sought to contest the
figures on Jefferson-ave., saying that
land was not selling for more than
5000 foot.
THE lot east of Owen park was
sold for $544 foot, and l can prove
it." said Assessor Nagel, bringing his
fist down on the table,
Il will place this check in the
hands Of the chairman to do what he
wishes with II, IL you can prove it,"
said owen, handing a $500 check 70
Aid. Field. II was finally admitted
that the lot was sold for $500 foot.
The assessment was allowed to stand.
Aid. O'Brien then made a motion
that the whole assessment be con-
firmed as fixed by Assessor Nagel The
only objection was by Aid. Grindley,
who said that for consistency's sake
Burns-ave. property ought to be de-
creased slightly to correspond with
property just east Of 1t. This was
overruled.
Il have worked nights for Ave
weeks on this work." said Assessor
Nagel. II think | am right, and |
want to thank the board of review for
standing by me-"
In the course OF the discussion,
nrices In the north Woodward sec
ton were quoted. and Assessor Nagel
intimated that II he were ever as
signed to the central district, there
might be some such increases as
made in the eastern district.