Capitol site to St. Anthony Hill at the point where Summit Avenue begins to wind along 

 the crest of the hill ; in other words, extending from the Capitol site to the corner of 

 Summit Avenue and Dayton Avenue, affording a vista of about 3,500 feet. 



1 he land at the corner of Dayton and Summit Avenues has been purchased by the 

 Archbishop of St. Paul, and plans are now under way for the erection of a Cathedral at 

 this location. The land between the Capitol and the Cathedral is very uneven, and diffi- 

 culties in the grades, especially at the intersection of the streets, would be encountered. 

 1 he lowest point of land would be at about a point where Rice Street crosses the proposed 

 avenue, and a viaduct would probably have to be built at this location so that Rice Street 

 could pass under the avenue. 



Lastly, the project includes the construction of a broad avenue to the south of the center 

 axis of the main front of the building, crossing the street to Seven Corners. The last- 

 named point is one at which a number of streets concentrate and several lines of street- 

 cars cross. At about half the distance between Seven Corners and the new Capitol there 

 is at present a small park surrounded by inexpensive houses. There is a steep descent from 

 the south side of this park to College Avenue, which runs diagonally south of it. The 

 difference in grade is such as to prevent a driveway without deflecting from the main axis. 

 It is, therefore, proposed to make use of this point of land by locating thereon a Soldier's 

 Monument, and to place broad flights of steps thence down to the College Avenue grade 

 and to that portion of the avenue which leads to Seven Corners. 



The various parts of the project above suggested would be connected by streets and 

 avenues now existing to the park system, which extends practically around the entire city. 



It will be observed that the various features of this development as shown upon Plat E 

 are quite unsymmetrical, and the scheme as a whole is doubtless open to objection on this 

 account. 



In the consideration of any such project, it is necessary to take into account the present 

 streets and property lines so far as possible, and to devise an arrangement which will accom- 

 modate itself to existing conditions. 



It has been roughly estimated that the cost of the land alone for this project would be 

 about 82,000,000. The plan should be developed a little at a time, and from year to year, 

 as the finances of the city would permit, without making a heavy additional burden of 

 taxation upon the City or State. In the meanwhile the purpose of the present plats is 

 simply to indicate the main points of development, with the understanding that further 

 study of the subject would doubtless produce a more symmetrical design which would 

 accomplish the general intention outlined above. 



The present status of the matter is that the Park Board of the City of St. Paul has, at 

 a public meeting, unanimously approved of the project and recommended it to the City 

 for adoption. The City has not as yet adopted the design, but has proceeded with the 

 purchase of land west of the Capitol building, and the School Board has taken it into 

 account by deferring action upon proposed additions to the Madison School Building 

 above referred to, and the Board of State Capitol Commissioners has likewise deferred 

 final action upon the development of the Capitol site until the City and State shall have 

 moved in the matter. 



In the meanwhile it is being actively discussed by the daily newspapers, and a strong 

 public sentiment favors it. 



Plat No. 1 shows the present Capitol site and the streets adjacent thereto. 



Plat A shows the development proposed to be undertaken first. 



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