The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-31

o--r
eAAngs-st.
foartA-s.is graded iron Main % Exchaags
stsese.
Fifth Street 10 graded 10 Johnson.
Sixth, 7th, 9Th, 9Th and 18th streets are
graded, or nearly graded, to Johnson st., and
some work has been done on most Of them
beyond Johnson-st. ;.
The topography Of the Second Ward t. OF
peculiar character, quite diAsrsnt from thes
Of the First Ward. There 10 blum bank
and ridge, composed Of earth, gravel, and
rock, (the latter Of superior quality Tor
buildins), extending half mile, from Main
to CedAr-st., ct the south east corner on the
river. Its average elevation 10 about 80 fest
above the plane OF reference, though It 10
somewhat undulsting. The outline, or
ground plan OF this back bsne ridge 10 Of IN
irregular shape, narrowest at Demoins-st.,
where tits only 900 feet through, from the
creek to the river. 1t widens oat in the rear
at the lower end Of the city, and towards
Main st.. but owing TO the circular bend in
tue river, it gradually nsrrows on the river
side. Immediately behind it, 10 q deep ra-
vine of irregular width. This depression
has been made by the drainage Of several
square miles Of country running through 1t
and emptying into Mill creek near its mouth,
Just outside Of tho southeastern boundary
Of tho original city limits. Through this
valley, by means Of large sewer partly
constructed, and still 10 course Of oonstruc-
ton, the drainage Of most Of the city and Of
considerable territory outside, must continue
TO now. "a Tunnel has been talked OF to
carry the drainage through the ridge to the
river, in the vicinity Of Dsmoins-st., dis
psnsing with the main sewer between Demon
and Cedar sts. On this, ~ we'll - some
minor points connected with sewerage, We
are not yet prepared 70 express hnal opin-
ion.)
The height of the ridge, and it, Abruptness
in front and rear, and the depth Of the ravins
behind il, demand heavy cutting and filling
TO secure moderate grades.
The general shape Of the entire river front
| Of the city 10 nearly seni-sircular arc, with
radius Of about 1900 feet. The number
I'd streets, lying nearly north east and south
west, form chords running to the river each
way from Main-st. Above Sd 1t. they mees
the original city boundary, before striking
the river, but would, il projected, strike the
river on each side Of the city a. high ~ 9th
street, and on the east side - high - l4th
street.
The ridge in question lies chiefly between
the river and Third street; Third street sor
several blocks, being in the hollow or low
ground, requiring heavy filling - bring il
TO grade. The average height Of this hol-
low 10 about 40 feet above tho plane OF ref
| erenoe.
On the rear OF the ridge, the excavation
to the depth required for the grades, consists
chiefly Of sandy loan, on the river front,
and towards the lower end Of the ridge, there
is considerable hard gravel, and some rock
| excavation to be encountered IN any deep
I cutting.
/ On the plan Of extending the Lsvce to the
! distance Of about $50 feet into the river,
which we designate a. the lsT PLAN cutting
J tho ridge and filling the levee At . grade OF
/, about in IL, the total cubic yards Of en-
/ bankncnt required on the river front, be-
tween Exchange and Cedar sts., is III 28, 900,
cubic yards. Assuming the cost Of the EN-
bankment 1t 30 cents per cubic yard for al
kind Of material used) and Of the stone
paving complete, at 81 60 per cubic yard,
the total cost would no $436, 900. After ex-
cayating the entire ridge. to the grades 6xsd
for this plan, there would still remain de-
fcioncy of embankment Of l35, 900 cubic
yards, allowing none Of the ridge excavs.
ton to be applied to tho streets or lots in the
hollow behind. On this plan excavation in
streets 34S, 00O, excavation in blocks Gas, 900,
total excavation 993, 900 cubic yards. The
material for the hollow must then be found
elsewhere. Or, in case part Of the ridge we're
applied to tho hollow, 30 much moro Of u
deficiency would occur on the river 'front.'
A portion of the leyee, however, would be
naturally formed from the excavations of
the cellars made BY Individuals in improving
their property along the brow Of the hill
This plan would bring every street to the
river on an easy business grade, secure II
good depth Of water ct all times at the
toe Of the lsvee, and afford ground for a
number OF new lots to be laid out and ar
ranged by the city, or between the city and
the lot owners. There will be sixty-sx new
lots.
- A SECOND, or modified arrangement OF the
I above plan, has been proposed, making the
lsvee aud most Of the streets leading TO it,
| on grades Of about one in ten. In this case,
the total cubic yards Of embankment on the
river side Of the ridge would be l,033,5C0
| Total cubic yards u stone paving, 54,490
Total cost, 1897 1874. Deficiency OF ombsnk-
ment 2l9, 900 cubic yards, after using oil thu
material Of the ridge above the grades,
leaving none to be applied to the hollow. Ex.
eavstion in streets, $4,000 cubic yards
Excavation in blocks, $50, 900 cubic yards
Total, $4,000 cubic yards.
The number Of new lots created in this
plan would also be sixty-six, the posi-
tons Of which are shown on the map
The remarks 1t the close Of our reference
to the 6rst plan, apply also to this modified
plan.
THIRD plan has been suggested, requir.
some changes in the arrangement and d.
rection Of some Of the streets between
Bank and Ridge sts., according to the plan
marked b.
On this plan the total cubic yards Of en-
bankment required on the river side 10 $780,
2l0. OF paving 42,4S0 cubic yards. OF
wells and steps 1880 cubic yards. Total
cost 49,, 1853 90. On this plan tho sxcava.
ton in streets 10 232,55O. Excavation in
blocks 4l3,38O. Total, GAS 800. Show
/ ing surplus Of ll6, 72O cubic yards 70 be
applied to the hollow. Number Of new lots
created 50.
DEscRlpTioN or rHIRD PLAN.
| Bank ST., 1t about $50 feet East OF First
street to be turned at right angles down
stream, for about $50 feet in length, thenos
making slight angle, and running to the
/ levcc opposite tho line Of Timea street, on
grade Of about one in twelve.
/ Timea ST., to be closed up at the lower
side Of First street, that portion Of Timea
/ between Eirpt md thu Icvea IN ha aba mead