Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-17
SITE OF KIRKBRDE'S
SUGGESTED FOR BIG
MUNICIPAL STADIUM
Business Men and Resi-
dents Say Removal of
Asylum's Chinese WalP'
Would Bring Life to Re-
tarded Section.

Suggestions that Philadelphia utilize the
| Kirlbride's asylum property as site for
| a municipal stadium and athletic HELD,
| should the city acquire the ground were
advanced today by business men situated
north of the Chinese wall or hlrk-
BRIDES who have felt the effects OF the
blocked development resulting from the
barrier.
Tine Kirkbride's property slopes into a
depression at 10th street, thus forming
the natural ravine sought by experts in
stadium building. Easy access to such a
stadium by reason of the Market street
elevated and the Market street and
Haverford avenue surface cars was urged
as one OF the advantages the site offered.
A DESIRABLE SITE,
There could hardly be a better choice
OF an institution to develop the section
the growth of which has been retarded
by the presence Of Kirkbride's, 1t was
said. Municipal parks unSuitsd to the
staging OF great games and pageants
would be appreciated by the immediate
nelshborohhod 1t was pointed out, but
for the real development OF West Phlla-
delphla a stadium capable OF attracting
thousands is the need
A few small stores scattered along
Haverford avenue. from 46th to 18th
street, opposite Kirkbride's, tell the story
of the retarded development II the neigh
borhood which could be remedied by plac-
ing the municipal stadium on the Kirk
brides site. Haverford avenue and the
streets running north from the "Chinese
wall" which have Jagged behind, while
the rest OF West Philadelphia has grown
wonderfully, would assume a new life and
activity should the stadium be built on
the KiFksbrlde's site as Philadelphla's
greatest playground.
ID. W. Young, who has been In business
81
was one who expressed himself as favor
ing the location of the stadium on the
kirkbrids's property after purchase by
the city
ITS DEAD ALONG HERE"
"A stadium to replace Kirkbridss would
do great things for this part OF West
Philadelphia" Mr. Young said ITS dead
along here and It always will be until
Kirkbride's Is taken away, Anything like
stadium or piacc tnat would attract
people would wake up the nsighborhood
Since l have been here 1 have seen the
sections around US grow up and develop,
but Il Is always the same here. Business
Is pretty dead all along the street. The
city can't move Kirkbride's too soon TOR
me-"
Louis Colin. OF 4TlT Havsrford avenue.
has been In business near Kirzbride's only
3 year, but he knows what IL does 70 the
neishborhood. This nslghborhood would
certainly wake up II they took Kirkbride's
away, he said. The stone Well makes
the section dead"
Long acquaintance with the stone WALL
ana It's deterrent effects has caused Ia
some a disposition 70 regard II as per-
petuaL Benjamin Miller. OF sssl Hayer-
ford avenue. WAS one Of these. he has
looked upon Il each day for eight years
i've heard before that they win move
and make It a park" he said
and I Eant 90 be here when they DO
haI I've about given ~ hope. This nelgh-
ee4AQQd needs g change i hope the city
iz4s4 Tkpride's this time