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West Park Shelter To Be Built

West Park Shelter To Be Built image
Parent Issue
Day
7
Month
January
Year
1958
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
OCR Text

West Park Shelter To Be Built

To Pick Architect; City Hopes To Erect Building This Year

The City Council last night authorized steps toward obtaining an architect to design a park shelter building for West Park. Ultimate aim is to have the shelter built this year.

The council’s action last night will involve City Administrator Guy C. Larcom, jr., asking architects to submit rough sketches and materials to form a basis for selection of an architect. The city administrator will make a recommendation on architect to the council.

The council’s action was by unanimous vote, although Councilman Florence R. Crane indicated during discussion of the subject that she had some reservations.

Mrs. Crane wondered money allocated for the West Park project was to be spent for the best possible purpose in relation to park needs. She also referred to cost of the Burns Park shelter, some $38,500, which was completed last summer.

$40,000 Set Aside

Eli A. Gallup, Department of Parks and Recreation superintendent, says some $40,500 has been set aside in previous fiscal years for the West Park project, including money for possible purchase of land for a site.

Commenting on Burns Park structure, Councilman Clan Crawford jr., said he once agreed with criticisms but since he recently used it for ice skating purposes, he was not at all certain waste was involved.

Councilman Charles W. Joiner pointed to heavy use of the Burns Park building by ice skaters.

City Administrator Guy C. Larcom, jr., contended the shelter was highly attractive and functional and was devoid of frills.

The action last night was on a motion by Councilman Russel J. Burns.

Burns, calling for the building to be erected in 1958, stated as part of his motion that the building should be sufficiently large to serve both as a park building and a polling place.

Would Replace Old One

As a polling place, it would replace the old city-owned building at 418 Miller Ave. used by voters in the Fifth Ward’s second precinct. With replacement, the old building probably would be sold.

City officials for some time have been attempting to negotiate purchase of a parcel of land on the northeast edge of West Park—the Chapin St. side —which would become the site for the shelter.

Should attempts to acquire that land fail, the shelter would be built on an existing portion of West Park near the ice skating area.