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

ton of the city hall or In an office build
ing, and these should be equipped.
Definition of Purpose
THE purpose should be to fur
nish a general plan for q comprehensive
park system for the present and future
Greater Birmingham, with certain other
city plan features as follows: City play
grounds, neighborhood beauty parks,
radial avenue bouevards, inner circuitoLs
chain of parks with one or more large
landscape playfields and parkway con-
nections, circumferential system of out
side reservations with parkway connec-
tions. civic center. some lesser public
squares. radial traffic highways. circuit
Gus traffic highways. The complete
scheme of distribution and the general
use of each area should be determined
The general boundary line of proposed
takings and general course of connecting
driveways should be indicated, also other
lands having prospect of being particu-
larly benefited, so that the city could
acquire same in advance as an invest
ment. There should be suggested the
means of acquisition and development and
plan for the arrangement of one play
ground, one park and a strip of parkway.
There should be suggestions on control,
regulation and maintenance and policy
relative to alleys and certain new and
eN1SIl1S SIIeelSs LIleiT WIutlS, III
visions, fixtures, tree planting and traf-
fc regulations. and to character of hous-
ing over certain areas, and conclusions as
to sites for varied industry.
.'In the matter of civic center, Ii would
be we'll to have q comprehensive plan for
the group of buildings showing in ten
tative way the proposed location, size and
proportion of such buildings and a scheme
for expansion. The floor levels, cornice
1f,aae tn. ha ratai oot
the group as unit, the designs of facades
and building materials should be set down
with an arrangement of interior open
space and surroundings so that, for in
stance, the county would not build a
courthouse in one style, the government
a postoffice in another, the city city
hall at one time in another and later a
library in still another, when they might
each be a Complementary part of a oeau-
tiful monumental unified group. There
should be colored birds eye perspective
drawing of the civic center scheme made
by celebrated artist.
Outline of Campaign of Execution
According to the situation which the
foregoing will have presented. a policy
of legal processes and financing Will nave
to be determined. No doubt tt will be
found that certain features of the above
plans and policies will have to be kept
secret until the city or private individuals
acting purely for the interest of the city
can get options on certain tracts that will
be particularly benefited by improve
ments, and which it may be found uncon-
stitutional to condemn as part of improve
ments. and yet on which the entire direct
increment instead of mere increase in tax
alton will be required by the city to carry
out the plans. When lands are not Sc
cured before plans are divulged the valua-
tions often SO jump when the plans are
divuIged that the city cannot afford, nor
has any purpose to buy them, either in
open market or through condemnation. In
other words in secrecy the city can ac-
complish by pure business transaction or
speculation that which would be uncertain
of accomplishment IL excess condemnation
were depended upon.
1.-THE city should become committed to
the plans and then it probably will be well
to secure options on all lands desired and
present the plan to the public simultan-
eously with the Inauguration of a care
fully planned campaign of publicity and
education carried on through the public
press. by literature, including an elabo-
rate booklet display of reports and plans,
by lectures, circulars, exhibitions, etc.
"At such a time there should be request
for gifts of lands desired from public
spirited citizens, real estate men, corpora
tions. Transportation companies, etc, but
no lands that can be secured free and do
not conform to the plans should be ac-
cepted without great deliberation and
hesitancy, because they are often un-
suited for purpose. and are merely given
To enrich those holding other lands fac
ing. which enrichment is made at the ex-
pense of development and maintenance
by the city to serve only the few.
"The campaign should be directed fur
ther to create a sentiment and arouse a
demand for carrying out the recommends
tions by whatever process Is found neces-
sary. by cost levy against abutters and
territory affected, special tax, issue Of
bonds. appropriation by legislature or ex-
cess condemnation.
II believe that the analyzing of condi-
tjons. defining of purpose and outlining
of campaign would require not less than
three nor more than six months. Yours
very truly. GEORGE Il. MILLER