The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-30
.LEADERSAPPROVE. RAMSAY SOLUTION. OF LIBRARY SITE
Phillips, Harrison And
 Drennen Express x,s Opinions

Location of the new library structure tthe corner of Park avenue ard Twen- fty-first street, on land adjoining Wocd- row Wilson park and now owned by the county, gained added impetus Sunday.
 The plan was first suggested Sat urday by Erskine Ramsey, who gave an interview concerning the develop ment of a civic center bordering the park on both east and west, where the new library, the. new county court house, combined city-county school administration building, new city hall an art gallery and<a museum could be erected adjoining the park and with out infringing upon present park land.
 After consideration of the Ramsey pfpposal, Nj. Paul Phillips, w. l.. Har- risnn and W. Melville Drennen, former mayor. who have been greatly inter- ested in the location of the new library structure were agreed that Mir. Ram sey's suggestion might solve the prob lem. All agreed that, in the main, Mir. Ramsey's suggestions were feasible.
 In brief, Mir. Ramkey suggested that East and West Twentieth streets, now each 100-foot wide, be condemned. These streets are bordered on the east and west by strips 115 by 61O-feet, the one between east Twentieth and Twen- ty-first streets now belonging to the county and the site of the new pro posed court house.
 Land Is Available
 The strip between West Twentieth and Nineteenth streets also is available for purchase by the city. Mir. Ramsey suggested that the land from the con femned streets be added to the land owned by the county and that to be purchased later, giving strips on each side of the park 215 by 610-foct. On the east strip, Mir. Ramsey would erect the court house in the middle, with the library on the south and a city county school administration building north of the new court house. He agreed to give $25 900 for the construc- tion of the school administration build ing, if the plan is carried to com pletion.
 On the west strip, Mir. Ramsey sug- gested that new city hall be erected opposite the court house and be flanked in time by an art gallery and muse- um. The proposal does not affect present park territory in any way.
 Mir. Drennen, who was given credit for suggesting the plan to MT. Ramsey, declared Sunday night that he was of inc opinion that the Ramsey idea might result in the ultimate solution.
 4 Suggests Concrete Walks
 However, after giving the idea con siderable thought 1 am of the opinion :hat should the two streets be closed, 25-foot in the middle of the present street, ought to be turned into concrete sidewalk. Of the remaining 75-foot, S1E feet could be added to the park end the remainder go to the county and city if the idea is carried out" Mir. Dfennen said.
 Mr. Harrison, when questioned, said that while he had not given the Ram sey plan a great deal of consideration, at first glance it seemed to be good Ilfan."
 af'If the city closed the streets as suggested and the idea met with the approval of the county board of reve- pue, it would provide an adequate solu- tion of the library site question: he said<~ Such a location would meet the approval of those who feel that the library should be erected in the park and also suit those who dislike the idea of encroaching on the park terri tory.
 't'It has the added advantage of pro- viding a free site for the library, pro- vided it suits the board of revenue who w6uld have to donate the land"
 The Ramsey plan was called 'big improvement" on other suggestions by M. Pau. Phillips.
 Il haven't studied the plan in detail," AIr. Phillips said," but it seemed it bes to be happy solution of the pro. blem."