Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1916 [PAGE 122]

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122

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[Sept. 1 1 ,

This raises the question of the enlargement of the course, the consideration of which was referred to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for a report. We have for some time been considering the advisability of a reassignment of space on the South Farm in order to' group the general buildings a t a point a s near the north Campus as possible. I t seems that this can be best accomplished by extending Sixth Street through our property across the Cemetery to a point on the golf course about as indicated by the accompanying sketch, which also shows an east and west drive- winding from a point near the present sheep barn to Lincoln Avenue. In locating this drive the object has been to make it possible to view all of the University South Farm activities by driving along it. This is looking a good way into the future but the plan seems to meet with definite enough approval to begin working towards it. The suggestion is that the golf course be moved east so as to occupy practically the entire area bounded by the Sixth Street extension, the new drive, and the Cemetery, which will give an area of about seventy-five acres. This land cannot be immediately available but probably at least forty acres of it could be put into grass this fall and be available for golf within two years. The feeding plant, if it should be started immediately on the site suggested, would probably have to have about five acres of land. This would temporarily cramp the golf course, but it does not seem possible to change to a new location without some inconvenience to all concerned. "Without having the whole question discussed a t the board meeting it has not seemed wise to investigate the possibility of extending Sixth Street across the Cemetery, but there is now a driveway through the Cemetery corresponding to the west half of Sixth Street and I hope that a lease can be obtained from the Cemetery Association. There are some other problems connected with the project which it will take some little time to work out. The question should not be gone into without some assurance that the Board of Trustees will look favorably on the project. If you deem it feasible to start the feeding plant this fall, I suggest that you ask the board to set aside a location on the northwest corner of the golf course, conditioned upon the feasibility of the rest of the scheme outlined above and its acceptability to all parties concerned—with the understanding that it will probably require ten years to accomplish the scheme. Yours truly,

JAMES M. W H I T E .

On the recommendation of President James and on motion of Superintendent Blair, this matter was referred to the combined Committees on Agriculture and Buildings and Grounds for consideration and report.

SALE OF HOUSES O N ENGINEERING TRACT. (7) A letter from Prof. J. M. White, Supervising Architect, concerning the sale of houses on the lots east of the Engineering Buildings and the temporary use of the land for additional tennis courts: President E. J. James, University of Illinois. DEAR S I R : In connection with the excavation for our new buildings we are securing some good clay for the construction of tennis courts. At the present time we also have a surplus supply of cinders for which we must find a place. This suggests the advisability of constructing more tennis courts, and the most desirable location is on the ground east of Goodwin Avenue purchased last summer. This is desirable because of its proximity to the Gymnasium and because the space . it is proposed to use will probably not be required for any permanent buildings within the next five or six years. The space suggested is that fronting on the street car right of way between the Gilbert property and Harvey Street, which gives room for five tennis courts, allowing 36 feet by 100 feet for each. Two more can be put in back of the Hull property to the south. There are three houses now on this site, two of which are bringing us in $18 a month, the third being occupied by Shorty Fay. One of these houses is in very fair condition. The other two are not creditable properties for us to retain. We probably can sell these houses for at least $400 and I expect to have bids in on them today. The ground is below the street car level/ and will require some filling for whatever purposes we need it. In connection with the construction of tennis courts we will make an average fill of about fifteen inches. The hauling of cinders and clay can be done now without any additional cost but after that is done the underdraining, rolling, and setting of back nets will probably involve a total expense of $600 for the seven courts. I do not see that we can meet this expense before next summer, but it may be that the Athletic Association can do something in the meantime. In any event I think it is worth while to make a start on these courts and I should like authority to proceed. Tours very truly,

JAMES M. WHITE., Supervising Architect. URBAN A, I I I . , September 10, 19U.

On the recommendation of President James and on motion of Mr. Hoit, the Supervising Architect was authorized to sell the houses and to cart in clay and cinders for the construction of tennis courts.

SALARY B U D G E T , S U P E R V I S I N G A R C H I T E C T ' S O F F I C E .

(8) A letter from Prof. J. M. White, Supervising Architect, concerning the salary budget of his office: President E. J. James, University of Illinois. DEAR SIR : I enclose herewith a list of appointments which should be made on my office staff for the coming year, showing also how the salaries are to b e ;

URBANA, 1LT,.3 September 10, 191Jf.