Minutes 11/24/1925 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 24, 1925 On motion of Nm. Brooks, the privilege of the floor was extended to any delegation who might desire to address the Oounoil. ~hereupon, Messrs. ~. L. Ben~ett and F. D. L~wrenoe, representing the Portsmouth 0hamber of Commerce, addressed the Council in reference to-the following comn~anication which was addressed to the council March 24, 1925, and they m~de the same request at this time: ~ "Portsmouth, Virginia, March~, 1925. Honorable City Council, Portsmouth, Virginia. Gentlemen: Upon ananimous action of the Board of Directors of the Portsmouth Oh~mbe= of Oom- merce, we petition you to sell the eld jail lot, on the corne~ cf Washington and High Streets, at pmblic amction immediately, with the restriction on the sale that a modern fireproof hotel, with not less tSan one hundred rooms be erected on the site. 'It is~=ecognized by all that ~ortsmouthneed~ such a hotel. ~t ca, not be expected- to go forward aU it shomld, untit it does have such a hotel that will ade~ely care for the traveling public. ~ This site,_ which is a good location fo~ a ho~ei, is now idle and prod~c!ng~no revenue for the city. Advertising i~ ~o~ ~ale. at pablic auction would guarantee a sale. The erection of a hotel such as that, specified wem~d gmarantee a good imcome to the city through taxes and would likewise he a E~eat asset to the Oity in filling, a long felt need. ~ith these things in mind, we again u~ge that the site be sold immediately at public s~etlon, with the restriction on the sale that a modern firep~oof hotel with not less than one hundred rooms be erected. Very respectfully W. L. BENNETT, P~esident. (Seal~ Attest: G%crge H. Gloss, Jr., Exe~tive Seo'Y." Hr. Brooks offered the following resolution: "Be it resolved, That th~ City Manager ~e authorized to advertmse and offe= for sale ~he old jail lot~nde= two heads: 1st, offer it for sale without any restrictions; ~nd- offer it fo~ sale with the restriction that a modern. fire-proof hotel he,wetted with n~t less than lO0 rooms; 3rd- the City~auager andOo,mmittee from the~Pertsmouth Chamber of Commerce to agree to amount of land to be~0ffe~ed for sale~" On motion, adJo~.vned.