Evening journal., 1913-10-30
COUNCILMEN
MOVED TO GET
RIVER FRONT
Navigation Committee to Seek
Strip -Four Blocks Long
From Owners
WANT TO AGREE ON
TERMS IF POSSIBLE

LNCcNU III a AlU1itAi way ~ 'hN hN"tf
bers OF City Council sitting as
committee Of the whole in Mayor
Howelrs Office last evening, at which
time the> ways and means were con-
sidered OF acquiring land along the
river front in conformity with the
wishes OF a majority Of the citizens
OF Wilmington, as expressed so over
vhelmingly at the past city election,
when the matter was voted upon by
an Initiative and Referendum vote.
The question was discussed by the
members In general way. The cir
cumstances in connection with the
present ownership of the land and
how IL was acquired by the owners,
which have already been published
several times, were among the points
discussed
The matter was not brought up
until late In the exening. several other
questions having first been brought
to the attention of the committee. and
the discussion, therefore, did not last
very long.
After some talk upon the subject
OF the river front in general. the
members finally discussed the ques-
tion OF just how much land the city
should acquire along the water front,
and they agreed unanimously that a
strip of fast land fronting on the
river for four blocks between Fourth
and Eighth streets. the strip TO be
sixty feet in width and 200 feet long,
would be of sufficient size TO answer
the purpose that would be desired.
The parcel oil land Is TO be In one
continuous strip IL It is possible 10
acquire il in this manner from the
owners. and II they will not agree
10 dispose Of the land in a continuous
strip then it is to be acquired in par
cells.
The matter OF the cost Of such a
strip of land was then brought up. and
it was suggested that the owners
might be willing to give the strip TO
the city for nothing, out OF considera-
tion for the benefits they would de-
rive from the remaining land along
the river front when the city had im-
proved the plot acquired by them.
II was decided 10 authorize the
navigation and the finance commit
tees Jointly TO consult with the owners
Of the river front land. of which the
Wilmington Terminal Company are
The largest owners. for the purpose OF
seeing whether they will give to the
city for nothing the strip Of land de-
sired by them.
Try 20 Reach Agreement.
Should H. ey not be willing to give
this much land 10 the city for moth
ipg. AN effort win be made by the City
Council committees 10 ascertain just
how much land the owners would be
T. willing 10 give and how much they
would charge the city COR tho re.
n,aindcr OF the plot the city wishes to
,acquirc. Should the owners be un-
Milling TO give any land to the city
they will be requested TO state their
price for tn entire plot.
A resolution authorizing the two
committees to This effect will be
adopted by city Council at their meet
ing this evening. Should the joint
committee ascertain that the owners
will refuse to donate the land TO the
city. they will make a report OF the
amount the owners will agree to sell
for. which report will be presented 20
the council and further action will bo
determined.
During The discussion. Samuel II.
paynard. president of the Board OF
Education. and members of the Park
Commission. spoke for a few min
utes upon the manner In which the
hulkhead law was passed by the
: legirlature. limiting at the interests
i that we're at work TO have the bill
rassed and the motives behind the
efforts along this line. He discussed
this phase of the case for the benefit
OF such members who were not al
ready informed upon the subject.
r. Y. Demarest. a consulting engi
neer. presented with blue prints al
entirely new proposition relative 4
the river front project His ide
is to have the city build along th
channel and parallel with il just be
vond the present bulkhead line
municipal dock 5000 feet long an
500 feet wide This Is 10 be reache
By a bridge about one-half mile Ion
from the mainland at Eighth stree
!. Between the southern end of the doc
and the present Christiana jetty thcr
would be an opening about 1900 fec
wide. AT the upper end the openin
would be about l 900 feet The doc
would serve to keep the channel flush
ed OF all silt and mud all the time
which is the very thing the govern
ment desires at this point. On tn
inside there would be a harbor O
refuge where docks could be bull
and where the biggest boats coul
land and unload or load The hol
project would cost about S33O,0O0
No further action will be takel
upon the subject by Council until th'
Joint committee has interviewed thI
owners OF the river front land. ant
submitted the results of the inter
view IN the form Of a report to th'
Council.
Other Subjects Up.
Following the discussion of the
river front proposition the resolution
presented by Councilman Cook from
the Second ward. urging that the ap
proach to the Third street bridge e
diagonally across Christiana Park {,
Fourth street such approach beinj
the wishes OF the citizens OF tha
ward, was taken up for discussion
but as II was then growing late TN
matter was deferred until next Wed
nesday night for action upon il.
The market situation was mention
ed but owing to the latenoss of IN
hour the members did not enter int
discussion upon II. but agreed /
discuss and take action upon it at
latter date
Before the discussion on the riv,
front affair began the Council men
bers granted an audience to Geor,
Pierce. who desired to appeal again
the action of Building inspect
Johnson in refusing 10 hermit him