The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-04-12
Council Takes Formal Ac-
ton to Get Site for the
New Courthouse.
DECLINES ARBITRATION
Harry L. Guilbert Asks $780,,
600 and Declines to be Party
to Arbitration Agreement.

The city council at an adjourned ses-
sion held on Friday afternoon passed a
resolution requesting the county of
Kenosha to take immediate steps to
condemn the, properties on Market
street owned by Harry L. GuiIbert and
Clarion Beaehel. The property is need
ed as a part Of the site for the new
county courthouse and the council vot-
ed to seek condemnation proceedings
after many efforts had been made to
reach an agreement with the property
| owners.
A call was issued this morning for a
session of the county board to be held
on April 18th at which time the county
will formally give it's sanction to the
condemnation. Under the agreement
between the city and the county for the
exchange of building sites, the county
agreed to bring such an action if a
favorable agreement could not be
reached. 1t is expected that it will
take something like forty days to have
hearing of the condemnation proceed
ings, but it is believed that some plan
can be worked out following the inau-
gqration of the court action which will
make it possible for the building of
the courthouse to proceed without in
terruption.
Does Not Bar Settlement.
The action of the council does not
bar a settlement being made out of
court If an agreement can be reached,
but it was evident after conferences
were held on FMday afternoon that so
far as the Guilbert property was con-
cerned the city and the ownes were
rather far apart with little indication
that an agreement could be reached.
Guilbert met with the members of
the council on Friday afternoon and he
put price of $150,000 on the property.
He held that this was his price and
that he was prepared to stick to it..
He indicated that he had full under
standing of the fact that the city must
have this property to complete its
agreement with the county. Several
propositions were made by members of
the council, but none of them brought
any results.
Declines Arbitration.
The city some time ago had apprais-
ais made of both the Guilbert> and the
Beachel properties and it was declared
that these appraisals had been consid-
cred rather liberal by the city. The
price of the Guilbert property was
placed at little over 100000 by these
experts and the city stood ready to pay
this amount. The suggestion of a set
tiement at such price was seorned by
Guilbert. Then the members of the
council suggested that the difference in
price be made matter for arbitration,
but Mr.. Guilbert again declined 70 en-
terrain the proposition of the city. It
was after the suggestion for arbitration
had been turned down that the council
directed the county board to go ahead
with the condemnation proceedings.
1t is understood that so far as the
Beachel property is concerned, there is
chance for arbitration. The owners
of the property have offered it to the
city at a price of $4,000. The city has
suggested $4,000 as fair price and
an agreement may be reached.
To Act on Garage Option.
The call for the special meeting
also mentions that the board will be
asked to act on the proposal to pur-
chasea garage for the use of the high
way department. In this connection
it became sknown this morning that
County Clerk Charles Holderness act
ing for the county, had secured an
option on the Herman E. Hansen
garage property located on the south
side of Salem avenue, just west of the
Chicago and North Shore tracks,
at the corner Of Sellick, Superior and
Salem avenues.
The purchase price named in the
option was $4,000.
For several years the need of a
garage for the highway department
has been apparent and the board is
believed to be favorably inclined
towards the project.