Evening journal., 1913-02-26
SUGGESTS
TERMINAL
FOR The CITY
MIR. 0'DOnneII Would Have
All Utilities Center at
Front and Market
SUBMITS VIEWS ON
SUBJECT TO BUSINESS MEN

Chamber OF Commerce yesterday
suggestion was made to the Chamber
by FRANK O'Donneil. which. if carried
out. will prove to be one Of the great
est improvements ever made in viii
mineton. MIR. ODonncll suggests that
railroad terminal Of the Pcnnsyl-
yania, Philadelphia and Reading and
Baltimore and Ohio Railroads and
all the trolley companies be built at
the foot of Market street and he ex.
tended 10 the Chrisuana river so that
a wharf could be provided for the
Wilson Line. making all common
carriers that enter the city come into
one union station which will be sit
uated in a place Of the greatest con-
Yeniencc TO the public.
The terminal would be controlled
By the city Ia conjunction with the
common carriers and would be an i'm
provement OF which any city might
le proud
Mr.. ODonnell's suggestion follows.
In line with the many thoughts
now being proposed for the CONNER
cial. manufacturing and industrial
development Of this city. desire to
place before the meeting for refer
ence to the proper committee. IN or
der that proper consideration may be
given TO a subject which ! will call
at this time a reconstruction OF VIII
mingtons commercial center. have
IN mind 49, concentration OF efforts
upon a district which now has the
facilities which simply need e. be
amalgamated under the city's super
vision and which mean much to the
futu development IN my mind. |
desire to propose as the first step TO
this reconstruction. terminal facili-
tics in tho form of a union station
at the foot OF Market street. such
station to be used not alone for
steam railroad. but electric or any
other public utility In the form Of
transportation. Said terminal to be
controlled by a city commission. The
Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore g.
Ohio and Philadelphia & Reading
Railroads city wharves already have
tracks and terminal facilities con-
tlguous to this locality and no doubt
under a commission appointed for
the purpose could so pool their in
terests as TO permit of the construc-
lion OF the terminal system which
aes been adopted in all the leading
and progressive cities OF this day
IT, after due consideration. plan
having for its object the establish
mcnt OF such a terminal at this point
should be considered favorable, it
would mean the elimination OF the
greater part OF the grade now exist
ng In the lower part OF Market
street particularly from Fourth to
Chriatiana River. and would be OF in
ostimablc value TO the mercantile
and commercial interests. and more
particularly add much 10 tho city's
prestige from an aesthetic point Of
view For the proper study OF this
subject suggest that commission.
all parties in interest including prop
crty holders TO have representation
upon such commission
I'VE are Immediately reminded OF
the large sum of money necessary to
carry on the completion OF such an
improvement To my mind this part
ef he subject. when considered
should also have connected with IL
the vast Improvement in property
Nalue that must OF necessity result
after it's completion and for any dam
ages resulting 10 property owners
by reason OF the elimination Ot
grade or otherwise, the property can
very easily be taken care Of in the
form OF annual rebates on tax bills
TO all parties, property owners or
estates affected. Il is my belief that
tl1e transportation companies wheth-
er they he electric or steam boat con
nections would be perfectly willing
10 pay an annua lrcntal for such
privileges as may be granted to them.
which would more than pay interest
on any bonds or obligations neces-
sary for the completion OF a union
terminal and with such a question
determined as TO the probable rcvc-
nue.. u is also my belief that the OK
pense incurred by such municiapi
Improvement would be such as will
not cause any expense whatever Ia
the taxpayers OF the city There is
no question hgs every citizen familiar
with present conditions in tho yicin
ity proposed TO be improved is dcs'r.
Gus that something be done and
with this desire paramount i'm ono,
mind. IL should furnish snficient in.
cnntiNe 10 give The ar.>ees-t .=s7z.
with made thorough consideration
The results obtained were such An
improvement undertaken and com
nleted, would vindicate what at frs
seems to be too stupendous prop
osition TO even think about I hav,
discussed the proposal as 7 hav,
briefly outlined with persons objected
and those interested and may sa,
that 7 am assured OF support in thei
belief and that they believe the plai
il feasible. and essentially practic
bic and valuable.
IN the belief that the people o
Wilma gton at large look to th,
rhamber OF Commerce as body eve
lerine for its object this public i'm
-ovemeni in the form OF union sta
f'cn will be formulated and present
IS" e the city and state government
for their consideration AT a late
aoi0 7 shall be glad to appear before
eommittee CT the Chamber Of Com
werce or the Board OF Directors ans
lay before them plans and sDecifica
lions OF contemplated improvement
as proposed. showing the nossibll
costs and plan OF financing that vii
Immediately develop n greater reve
nue. to the city az well as add to thl
cits's commercial value and remove
the present delaDidated condition o
lower Market street