The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-05
\ administrative | |
BOARD IS OFFENDED
MEMBERS FEEL THEY HAVE NOT
ACTED HASTILY IN MATTER
OF IMPROVEMENT.
BYRD PARK PROPERTY
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO RECON-
MEND PURCHASE OF LAND Z
FOR INCREASE IN SIZE
OF CITY PARK.
BYRD PARK PROPERTY


+,va hoard this morning 1t Is likely
that the resolution sent that body by
the finance committee OF the city
council at it's last meeting Will re-
ceiYe some attention.
The resolution in question calls upon
the board to cease the work Of laying
streets through the property ad)oin
ing Byrd park and the proposed
lake. until the city attorney may look
into the question of acquiring that
property, to be added to the PARK
land.
This property la owned mainly by
the william Byrd Realty corporation.
embracing in its membership coun-
Gilman Gilbert X. Pollock, Harry M
Smith, Field wiibon and f. b. Sydnor.
some of the property is owned by
Stanhope Boiling.
No Available Funds.
Some time ago the owners agreed
70 dedicate to the city certain por-
tons Of the property for the purpose
Of opening streets. This proposition
was agreed to. but Il was found that
there were no funds available Tor the
grading The corporation tnen OF
fered to do the grading ana alioW
the city to pay in two annual ins,an-
men,s II was shown by the city en-
gineer that the work could be zone
at a cost OF about $4,000. The street
committee last fall considered the mat
ter, and on motion OF Alderman row
ers accepted the proposition OF the
corporation.
Recently the administrative board
In its apportionment or funos ioi
street improvements placed some OF
II for the improvements in the prop
erty In question.
Recommend Purchase.
r~S SrorA, cor,rittee discussed
the matter and decided to recommend
to council the purchase of the proper
~ for park purposes. evidently reel
ing that Byrd park is not large
enough, and that the city may secure
the property and prevent streets IRON
rarring the prospect between tht
park and the new lake
This recommendation Will prooabis
be made to council tonight, AS the
finance committee meets In executive
session. no one outside knows why ,ne
committee at this hour takes active IN
terest in the matter.
II lis believed that the city would
have to pay at least sac, 900 Tor tht
property The corporation statef
some time ago II was anxious 10 nave
the streets opened, so that the proper
.y might be improved A number o.
people, including Councilman Pollock
/, was said. desired to build and 1--we
upon the property 1t is believed now
that with annexation in sight, th'
owners will sell to the city, but WI
ask high prices.
Board Protests.
Members OF the administrative
hard protest that comment upof
their action in going on with the worf
ts not indicative OF "a knowledge @
the facts by those who comment
.Tney say that the council itself agreed
to the proposition OF the memoer
of the corporation. aud~that when tn
budget was made up. i, was under
stood that such i'm Droyements woui'
he undertaken,
The city would hardly be jusufte'
in buying property 10 enlarge BNr'
mark" said a mern''er Of the ADMIN
istrative hoard yesterday whei
money Is so scarce, and when II /
known that Byrd park lis already m
largest park in the city. The sInai
amount required TO make the improve
ments, is but drop in comparison
TO what the city would have to Civ
for the property"
The resolution passed by council j
references to the dedication. provide
that no house shall be erected on tn
property costing less than s6.ooo an
that no houses except residences %