The Detroit times., 1912-08-30
CITY PLAN COMMISSION
MAKES VIGOROUS PROTEST
AGAINST CLOSING CASS-AVE.
Writes Mayor That Proposed
Vacation Would Be Very
Serious Loss to City
TRAFFIC CoNGESTED NOW
Board Urges That Instead Of
Street Being Closed. Grade
Separation Be Hurried

The city plan and improvement
commission has sent the following
letter to Mayor Thompson. protesting
against the proposed vacation of a
portion OF Cass-ave., at the request
OF the Cadillac Motor Car Co.:
Hon. william B. Thompson. Mayor OF
Honorable sir--we understand that
IL II proposed closing Cass-ave. from
the strsett may be used by private
manufacturing companies.
We consider the closing of this street
would be a very serious loss 70 the
city. and add 60 the congestion OF traf-
nc on the north and south streets.
There are times when streets have TO
be closed temporarily. for repairs or
alterations. and this throws added bur-
dem upon the streets already used to
their capacity. The city II growing so
rapidly that a great many new streets
and new connecting links are needed
rather than elimination OF tho existing
ones.
The city plan and Improvement com
mission has spent a great deal of time
and effort. and with the advice and
help of hired assistance. 10 endeavor-
ing 20 put in definite shape recommen-
dations for the aileviation OF evils
created in the past by the biockading
OF streets
To keep creating conditions which
later on will require great expense and
avoided by the exercising of fore.
thought and care, Is not an economical
expenditure or EFFORT
Woodward-ave. II only, "a feet wide
at Amsterdain-st., and cass-ave. is so
ward-ave.. north OF the Boulevard. Is
100 feet wide: therefore. conditions OF
traffic may be diverted from Wood
ward-ave; 1ynh. south OF the viaauc, . and re. re-
Boulevard At the present time condf-
tlons on Woodward-ave. through the
viaducts are unsafe. owing TO the con-
gested traffic and the poor condition OF
pavements.
We feel broader view should be
taken upon this matter and the citys
welfare as whole considered. The
study OF city planning illustrates thar
not be turned into l1tatfon Tor large
anuflcturing plant requirements.
Railroad facilities and other means OF
transportation and accommodations.
creased I'm the established or congested
portions of the city TO such a degree
for radically. changing types OF manu-
featuring plants.
or for the sole and Individual use Of
the property fronting on them. They
belong to the public as a whole.
growing city should not start a
practice or creating additional conges-
tion. Streets need expansion. the same
as factories, and generaify&at the same
time.
Detroit 10 conscious OF the fact that
IL will room be a city OF a million In
habitants This In no. 30 much 70 be
desired as IL is that these one million
inhabitants may be cared for comfort
ably and BEAUTIFULLY; that their hous-
ing and places of work may be Of the
best; that every facility be made for
the expeditions and comfortable trans
porting OF them from their homes to
places Of business; that the handling OF
deliveries and OF vehicle traffic of the
city be made easier by more thorough
fares, better paved and better lighted
Your commission feels that instead
of closing this street, action should be
taken at once to hurry a separation OF
the grades. to overcome the artificial
barrier which the railroad, and lack
of proper paving creates, so that the
streets usefulness may be made nor
NAL as the present condition OF the city
demands.
Respectfully submitted,
CITY PLAN AND IMPROVEMENT
COMMISSION
81, 7. GLENN PHILLIPS.
Secretary.