New Britain herald., 1919-07-30

One of the biggest real estate trans actions in the history of the town took place 'ast evening when papers were passed transferring the Hopkins prop erty to Neri Brothers. The amount of money involved was about $2O, 1000. the sale was engineered by Charles r. Conlin, local real estate and in surAnce agent acting for Edgar L. Hopkins of the Hopkins BreWing company Ot Hartford
 The piece of property acquired is triangular in shape with 19S feet frontage on East Main street, 23O feet on Mccall avenue, and a depth of 90 feet on the cast side and 30 feet on inc north side or pointed end of the triangle. The property was con- sldercd the next best piece to the property across the street which is also owned by Neri Brothers
 For years the property was owned by Thomas G. Russell who conduct ed saloon in the lower floor of the tWo-story building on the property. MT. Ruaseu's family occupied the ten cment over the saloon. A smaller building on the extreme western tip Of the property was used for years as a restaurant and was run by Warren Morgan who later sold to John Glea- son and the place changed hands un- til few weeks ago it passed into history as a restaurant and became an automobile accessory station run by MT. Manning of this town.
 The property came into the possess sion of the Hopkins Brewing company few years ago after the death of Mr. Russell when it was sold as a a 4IfO of t1n fO remained idle. A little over year ago t was rented by the United States goVernme ent as headquarters for the local draft board. The entire work which sent hundreds of men from the towns of Bristol, Forestville, Burling- ton, Avon, Pennington, Southington Berlin and Plainville was done in the place where the saloon was formerly conducted Each party of conscripts was instructed in the building and re- ceiVed their first orders making them soldiers of the country in the same building. It's historical interest in the war will be an item of importance in the towns history.
 With the purchase of the Hopkins property yester day, Neri Brothers are now in possession of almost One-half of the towns business center. Direct ly across the street from their newly purchased land the confectioners are busy building a large business block which will cost over $1OO,0OO accord ing to present estimates
 What disposition will be made of the new property has not been decid- ed upon by the new owners.
 Building Lines Discussed.
 With the start on the Ner block on Central Square the question of a building line in the center of the town has arisen and much discussion has WaXed over the matter within the past week. The town has d town plan commission which is supposed to have charge of such matters and has the final say on the building lines on the town streets. The Neri men propose to allow for a 12 foot sidewalk in front of their new block but some of the men in town think the width should be II feet Selectman John- son has been viewing the progress on the new block but thus far has made no definite statement in regard to the line which must be followed. As far as is known there is no ordinance in town at the present time which could enforce a 4 foot walk. It is stated that it would be to the betterment of the center as we'll as to the block it will be in front of if the walk is 14 feet wide.
 The town plan commission has not taken the initiative in the matter and one of it's members is reported to have stated that the commission has not the right to take the first steps but to act only afteF some mis-step has been made. Popular sentiment would seem to indicate that it was up to the