The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-22

park the boulevard would be minus a
most desirable feature were the sug-
gestions of Mr.. Motion. He said that
the city can arrange to buy the park
without spending any money and he
engages himself to rent the park for
sufficient money to pay all interest
charges for term of five years. In
the meantime the park will have in
creased tremendously in value. 1t is
believed
Mr.. Motion appeared before the com
mission at the meeting yesterday and
commended with words OF the highest
praise the boulevard to be paved with
standard paving which has been re
Gently spoken of fayorably by a host
of citizens and officials Mr.. Motion
launched into his proposal, saying that
as real estate broker he had been
commissioned some time back to sell
East Lake park for the owners. He said
that 1t occurred to him that inasmuch
as the city did not own any park area
in that locality and did not have any
available property there for park that
the commission would be interested in
buying the East Lake property.
Commissioners Surprised
The commissioners were taken lecid-
edly by surprise when Mr.. Motion made
his statement, but they were instantly
attracted to the general scheme The
commissioners subsequently said the
matter was of great interest
Mr.. Motion told the commission that
he fully realized that the city was
short of money. but that the park mus-
be sold TO some one and he preferred
the city should have it.
The present owners could close the
park tight as 1t now stands" said Mr..
Motion. However, IL that were to taKe
place such howl as has been seldom
heard in this district would go IN The
people of this entire district take pleas
ure trips to that place. 1t can be bought
by the city cheaper than by any other
interests. | know that negotiations are
going on now for the sale of the pron-
erty However. I want the city to b,,v
IT. firmly believe that either tne
nirniih sham Railway, Light and Power
company or the Tidewater street rail
ever, in my Judgment, if that park
passes into the hands of private own
ers the error will be felt here for many
years. '-'''iS
The park has so acres which in
eludes lake that cost s50.OOO n
build Over 100000 worth of improve
menus nave been added to the place
luupery and flowers are now grow
ing there. The park can be onerated
or leased by the city. without paying
taxes or charging license to eyerv con.
cession the city could make a tremeu
uous profit on the venture not to mem
lioh tne interest on the credit which
we viii extend to the city. The citv
ias no property near East Lake for a
PARK. None Is available. No lake can
De created here which will be half
as good as East Lake No place is as
popular as that park. Hence 1t struck
| me that / would be doing a Duhlic
spirited act by coming here and asking
this commission to turn over this land,
can arrange the sale so no money
Is required. The bonds of the property
can be sold by the city to pay for n
ana L can arrange whereby the inter-
| est VIII be earned by the city from a
lessee. Again, the city notes could he
taken or any plan agreed upon which
would be satisfactory. The owners of
the park have no condition that actual
money must pass In this proposition.
l am greatly Interested in this mat
/
as real estate broker. l am frank
to say that the commission would earn
the gratitude of this entire community
II that park property is purchased
With two street car lines operating to
1t and the proposed boulevard in prac-
tical course of construction, this place
/ would be an ideal terminal point n he
owned by the city,"
The statement of Mr.. Motion. coming
as II did without any formalittes or
prel1minaries, created decided interest
The commissioners in favor of the bouI-
evard FASTENED to ask Mr.. Motion to
| lay the matter before them in a formal
communication with the price, terms
and all data obtainable. This Mr.. Mol
ton promised to do.
Gibson FavOrs Notions Idea
J. B. Gibson of Woodlawn, who ac-
cidentally met Mr.. Motion while en-
route to the commission. was asked
what he thought of the proposition and
he was very much In favor of it, He
said that as citizen he believed that
end OF the city was entitled to a city
park. He also said that he personally
was acquainted with the fact that the
owners wanted to sell the property. He
added that as resident of Woodlawn
he was of the opinion that the boule-
ward terminating as 1t would at the
| QeS1TaDle
condition
'Mr commissioners" said Mr.. Glib
son. I'VE all want this boulevard. You
VIII have some kiclSers and some fight
ers. But you must take the bit in your
teeth; you must get dynamite in you
and run away with this giant task.
| am greatly encouraged to see such a
monumental proposition approached by
the commission with such admirable
courage and poise. 1 hope that YOU
will buy this park as Mr.. Motion sug-
gests as I believe a cruel fate could
not effect Birmingham much greater
| than to see this pleasure resort in the
hands of unfriendly interests or pub
! lice service corporations"
! The statement of Mr. Gibson was
warmly received and created consid-
| erable discussion.
! 1t could not be obtained from Mr..
Motion what price the East Lake
Amusement company will ask for the
property However. 1t is assumed that
about $4,000 per acre will be asked
| which would place the figure about
$4,000.
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