UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1935-11-01_Page-063

267 APPENDIX V REPORT OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PT CAIRO The Committee on Buildings and Grounds has the following to report: Mr. Wendell Cleland, in reporting on the buburban Property, pre-sented a proposal that the Deportment of Public YJorks of the City of Cairo be requested to alter its plans so that the proposed cross road running at right angles to the Pyramid Road be moved toward Cairo n sufficient distance for it to run through the University's property. It is understood that this request is not at all unreasonable and it has a fair chance of being approved by the Department of Public Works. Such a change would prove beneficial to the suburban pfoperty in many Aays: (1) It would make it unnecessary to buy the additional pieces of land called for in the original scheme. (2) It would provide an excellent approach to our property from the Pyramid Road at little or no cost to us, at the same time enabling us to build the college buildings away from the road and to sell at advantageous prices the lots with a frontage on the Pyramid Road. (3) Such a development would enhance the value of the site so that lots could be sold more readily for building purposes. The Committee urges that every effort be bent toward having this pro-posal acted upon favorably by the Department of Public Works of the City of Cairo. There is an immediate need for the development of this suburban property by filling in the low places now under water next to the Pyramid Road end by landscaping the proposed approach to the University, as soon as the plan is approved. Both improvements would add to the value of the land, whether it is sold or retained for a college. The Committee feels that these improvements should be made as soon as funds are available. Inasmuch as negotiations are progressing so satisfactorily for the sale of a portion of the city site to the city of Cairo for street purposes, the Finance Cormaittee is urged to consider the setting aside of $10,000 for the development and improvement of the suburban site, when, as and if the rumored minimum of X80,000 from such sale is received. The Committee requests that Mr. tendell Cleland be given an opportunity to explain in detail the items referred to in the foregoing report