The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-06
new HOME PLAN DOBBIN WINS Oh
Community Apartment Idea Old Faithful Horse VicOri
Spreads to Topeka. Over Chugging Motor.
Flat TO Built by Occupants Gravel Hauling War Near
Is Chicago Scheme. peka Settled by Farmers
Topeka THREE YEARS BEHIND LOOKED LIKE A STRIKE Of
Long Building Inac- Trucks Earned $50 Day
tiviy Cripples City. the Horses Only $40.
Immediate Necessity of PrOvid Pit Moved to impossible De
ing Accommodations. and Motors Lost Out.
Community Apartment Idea
Spreads to Topeka.
Flat TO Be Built by Occupants
Is Chicago Scheme.
TOPEKA THREE YEARS BEHIND
Long Period of Building Inac-
tivity CrippIes City.
Immediate Necessity of PrOvid-
ing Accommodations.

Community housing plans may be
worked out in Topeka in an effort to
relieve a congestion that has worried
property owners more than twelve
months and has kept many families
from making this city their perma-
nenet home. Several plans for relief
are now under consideration. One is
for community apartment building"
to be owned, managed and operated
by residents.
1t is known that persons interested
IN thu loaning of money for home
building, Is well as representatives OF
the large building and loan agencies
in Topeka have been approached re-
garding various plans. The loaning of
money for apartment house construc-
ton is a common practice. Usually,
tho, the responsibility is shouldered by
a single property owner. In the case
of a community apartment. each indi-
Vidual would share equally the re-
sponsibility. Monthly payments would
be made on a modern building by oc-
cupants who would become owners of
their own apartment on the monthly
pay plan.
now being adopted in Chicago and
other cities Should fifty-or even
fewer-responsibl families desire
quarters in a modern apartment, there
WOulu De llllle ulllACully 6SCuAth6
Just the building desired. we'll
known financial authority stated to-
day that such a combined demand
would assure ready capital. Under
tho Chicago plan occupants OF the
building would elect a house manager
who would assume responsibility for
employment of janitors and attention
to details in repairs and betterments.
The manager would collect the rent
ais, which would each month be' paid
building would in few years be en-
tirely paid for.
Could Transfer Interest.
Each occupant would reserve the
right to transfer his interest at any
time he might leave the city or de-
sire to- move. The new occupant
would thus buy the equity of the de-
parting resident and no break would
occur in the monthly payments.
1t has been pointed out by persons
interested in promoting the plan that
the community responsibility would
add to the security of the loaning or
building corporation. The greater
number of responsible persons behind
the project, the more certain prompt
payment of all accounts.
All of the expense for construction
would be retired in ten years under
the plan now being considered. In ad-
ditiCn current expenses for heat ana
janitor service would be met. Each
apartment occupant would pay his or
her individual light, water and gas
bills as now REQUIRED under most
rental and lease contracts.
Retire Expense In 10 Years.
on rental of $50 a month for each
family, expense of a modern
apartment building would be retired in
ten years and current operating ex-
penses absorbed, it is stated. In sup
port of the community plan, one owner
OF a large and desirable corner build
ing site, recently told a friend he
would not only provide a site for such
a building but would take holding
interest in the corporation itself.
The fact that Topekans have been
slow to realize that building expenses
are not being revised downward, has
held up hundreds of thousands of dol
lars worth OF construction here.
wichita and other cities have realized
the cor ditions and have in a large
degree kept building activities abreast
with demands.
Now Topeka is perhaps three years
behind with home building. During
the last twelve months conditions have
become acute. The increasing demand
for homes has not been met. Pro-
vision has not been made for even nor
NAL increases in home requirements.
Hundreds of new families have sought
living quarters here. In consequence
the city's housing facilities are over
crowded and the congestion is now
being felt in almost every district. II
the desired relief comes thru early
construction of a community apart
ment, Topeka may in few months
witness n scramble for community
construction projects
New York-As long as he didn't have to
take off his collar" one customer was