Beautify City

Ann Arbor Civic Improvement Society Organized 

Prof. Davis' Plans Work 

General Interest is Manifested in the Work of Society - Officers Elected for the Ensuing Year. 

A large and enthusiastic meeting of the Ann Arbor Civic Improvement society was held Wednesday afternoon in the parlors of the Unitarian church. Prof. C.A. Davis, president of the preliminary society which was organized last spring, gave a brief address, __lining the work accomplished during the past year by the aid of the society and pointing out very clearly the possible advantages which could be attained by a permanent, active society. He emphasized the fact that __ much credit could not be given to the mayor and common council for the work they are doing in turning the two most disgraceful pieces of property near the Michigan Central depot and the "cat hole," into beautiful parks. With these two parks as a starting point the Civic Improvement society should extend its work to the numerous triangular pieces of ground owned by the city and cause by so many of our streets not running at right angles. These places have, in many cases, been allowed to grow up in weeds. The society should, without any expense to the common council, turn these places into beautiful little parks. This can easily be done by the people in the immediate neighborhood. Great emphasis was also placed upon the possibility of making beautiful private drives and walks in the vicinity of Ann Arbor. Few cities have such natural surroundings. With very little expense we could have most magnificent drives. Along this line we have already a beginning in the beautiful drive known as the boulevard. This should be greatly extended and a system of drives built after the manner of the Civic Improvement society of Madison, Wisconsin.

Then is there another side to the work of the society which should not be forgotten. When the society is increasing the beauty and health of the city and its surroundings, there is a definite reaction on the city itself. Every successful effort increases the value of the property, makes the city more attractive to people seeking homes, thus making more taxable property. In short an active Civic Improvement society will do a great deal toward increasing the tax receipts and material welfare of the city at large. Such a society in this city will be a valuable ally to the common council. The business men and the city papers in their effort to push Ann Arbor to the front. It is to be hoped that every progressive citizen will take an interest in the movement.

On the recommendation of President Davis a permanent organization was formed to be known as the Ann Arbor Civiv Improvement society. The following officers were elected: President, D.F. Allmendinger; vice president, L.D. Carr; secretary, George P. Burns; treasurer, Ottmar Eberbach. President. Davis declined a re-election because of heavy work at the University.

A constitution was adopted providing for an executive committee consisting of two from each ward to be appointed by the president; membership extended to everyone; annual dues placed at 25 cents, etc. 

The officers meet Saturday to complete the organization.

The constitution adopted makes the object of the society "to make more beautiful the city of Ann Arbor, its approaches and surroundings."