South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-11
MAYOR URGES CITY
To BUY PROPERTY
Asks Council to Purchase 100
Acres at Rum ViIlage-AISo
North of City Hall.


sented TO the common council Mon
day night providing for the purchase
Of the property directly north Of the
city hall and for over 100 acres OF
land composing Rum village Ac-
companying the ordinances was a
communication from Mayor Keller
stating that ne had secured 60-day
options on both tracts Of land stat
ing that the property near the city
hall could be purchased for $4,000
and the Rum village land for S45,-
600.
In has communication Mayor
Keller declared that the property
north OF the city was necessary for
the future erection OF an addition
20 the city hall. which he explained
TO be rapidly becoming too small for
the use to which it Is put. In ex-
planning his reasons for securing the
option on Rum village he asserted
that this property is the most desir-
able park property in the city and
was desired by citizens. In both in
stances he explained that the prop
erty could be purchased under the
present options at lower prices than
at any other time in the future or
the past.
Referred To Committee.
Both ordinances were referred 70
the committee of the whole for con-
sideration after the first and second
readings and will be taken up next
Tuesday night.
Another OF the park boards ia
vorite hobbies fell by the wayside
when the forestry ordinance was de-
feated by a vote of six to three. The
councilman also passed the ordi-
nance Offering a reward Of $500 for
the capture and conviction of the
men who killed Henry Muessel and
Frank Chrobot under a suspension Of
the rules.
Mayor Keller's communication,
which explains the proposed pur-
chase of the two land tracts in full
follows:
Mayors Communications.
"To the Honorable Common Council
Of the City Of South Bend, Ind:
II herewith submit for your con-
sideration "A 6c-day option TO pur-
chase the brick house Immediately
north of the city hall and the brick
building in the rear of same and the
land on which said buildings are To-
Gated for a consideration of $4,000
the dimensions of the land being SO
by 165 feet. This lot. together with
the lot now owned by the city north
OF the city hall, would give us a
frontage of 66 feet north of the alley.
This particular piece of property has
been under consideration for some
time as needed for the future use OF
the city. The real owner of the
property, 5. ii. Rice. lives in
California and is anxious to dispose
of this property. He decided recently
10 sell the property at what he
could get for it. His price on the
property was formerly $4,000. The
title 10 the property is in Nessrs.
Kamm and Schellinger. other parties
have been looking at this property
with a view 10 purchasing since the
owner has become anxious TO sell it,
There is no question but what the
city viii require more room i'm the
future for the use Of its departments
in transacting the city's business.
our present city hall is now fully
occupied and the park department
is without am office and our new
building department viii be some
what cramped for suitable space.
OppOrtunc Time To Buy.
This is an opportune time TO buy
for The reason that the city can Sc
cure money at a low rate of interest
at this time.
s.
its note at the present time. if need
ed. for 8 1-2 TO 4 per cent How
ever. the controller informs me that
we can pay cash for this property
out OF money now in the general
fund
IT am satisfied that If the prop
erty was allowed TO pass into other
hands that we would then have to
pay at least $4,000 for it. and more
II the buyer made improvements.
The city should not improve the
property until IL is absolutely neces-
sary. which will dSabtlesS be q NUM-
Der Of years in the future. The prop
erty will rent for enough 20 pay in-
terest on the investment. The pres
ent buildings might be utilized 10y
some OF the departments or the city.
When this property is improved
passag e-way from the city hall 10
this building could Dee constructed.
In his last annual report the city
Judge recon mended for the con-
alteration I'm the near future of re-
moving the police department and
police court 10 another building.
When this property is Improved pro-
vision should be made for these de-
partments a desirable court room
could be constructed ON the second
floor 70 replace our present court
room I'm the basement OF the city
hall. which is an undesirable place
for g. Our present water works
Office is not now conveniently reach
ed. especially by elderly people. on
account OF being on the second floor
Of the city hail. This should be lo-
Gated or the first floor OF the pro-
posed annex and near the entrance
I would recommend also provision
being made for municipal lodging
house in the rear of che second floor
II NAV also Pc found desirable TO
hul1H "a rruuleiu41 "a ra 70 ON the ra1r