The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-31
Council ProceeAAngs.
CouxciL RooN, !
July -, 1856.

CosxciL Roox,
July -, 1856.
Council met.
Present--All che Aldernen.
Alderman Parsons, President pro. tenn,
presided.
The City Engineer reported the bids for
the grading Of First street, from johnson to
Bank street, Of Bank street from Second to
Water street, Fifth street, from johnson to
Cedar, Sixth street from johnson to De-
noin also, the Alley through Block 81 and
Exchange street from Fourth to Twelfth
street; whsrsupon the following resolution
was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the City Engineer be d.
rected to report to the next meeting OF the
Council, contracts with each party making
the lowest bid upon each street and alley.
A petition was received from Co9man
Hunter, asking an extension of the time
fixed in their contracts for the completion OF
the side walks. Petition received, and
Cofman L Hunter allowed forty days extern
s,on.
On motion, the Council proceeded to the
| election OF Inspector and Measurer OF Lum-
Der and Mechanical Work, and upon ballot
ing, j. c. Wycoff was duly elected.
The following communication, accompan-
led by report from the Board Of Engineers,
was received from the City Engineer:
To the Hon. Mayor,
and Council Of the city Of Keokuk,
GENTLEMEN The Committee OF Engineers
appointed by Councils to confer with the
City Engineer in determining the grades and
sewerage for the city, have 90 far completed
their duties ~ to enable mo, in connection
with them, to furnish partial report, em-
bracing the principal features for the con-
sideration Of your honorable body.
The report will show what points yet re-
main in allegiance in the minds Of the Com
mittee. L. HUTCHINSON.
To the Hon. Mayor,
and Council Of the city Of Ksokuk.
GENrLEARN Having in conjunction With
the City Engineer, made such examinations
Of the grades, etc., Of the city - the time at
our command would permit, We beg leave to
present the following partial report, together
with tho explanatory maps and pro6lss OF
the streets and levee
The ground in different parts Of the city il
Of very irregular height particularly in the
FIRST Ward, which extends from tho River to
Fifth street, and from Main to Orleans st.;
portions Of which being l5S fest above the
| plane OF reference within 500 feet Of the
River, and other portions being lbs f,st
above, within 800 feet, rendering the plan of
cutting the streets directly out to the River,
(above Blondeau) in our estimation, imprac-
ticable, except NJ very great cost.
This elevated plateau, in the First Ward,
is peculiarly adapted to residences, public
buildings, etc.; commanding, - it does, An
extensive and lively prospect, embracing the
picturesque Illinois shore and hills, and the
1 AL III h. Dc Ia.
miles above, and it, more placid waters for
miles below. at 10 already thus appropriated
to some extent, by number Of valuable per-
manent dwellings and churches. We regard
the higher portions OF this plateau, rs es-
tAblishsd by nature; and, as will be seen BY
the pro6les, recommend only . moderate a.
mount Of cutting and filling for the final
grades, 20 far as we have fixed them. 1t 10
proposed to extend Third street, commend
ing ut the corner Of Franklin, on moderate
descending grade (about in l2) obliquely
along the side hill, on q width of 40 feet,
until il iniersects the level Of the street that
may be luid out on the Eat parallel with the
keokuk, Mount Pleasant and Muscatine
Railroad depot; passing beyond the origin
al city limits about IS feet from tho original
corner of Third and Orleans streets. A line
Of levels has been run, showing that the cost
Of the street thus changed aud extended,
will be moderate, at the same time afordng
| convenient access to the railroad depot and
the river valley generally. Second street
may, perhaps, be turned from the corner Of
Fulton and laid out anew, obliquely across
! lots striking Franklin street. about lot No. 4,
in block 81, whence it may be continued
parallel with the proposed levee line, until
It runs into Third street. First street may
also DO turned vt the corner of High street,
and laid out obliqucly across lots nearly par
allel with the river, interesting Second st.
near the corner of Fulton. By making an.
other angle iu First street at Concert street,
throwing it down the hill not over 100 feet,
q great Improvement could be made in the
grades and cost. These changes will involve
alterations in q number Of lots, and the re-
moyal or taking down Of some houses. We
refer to these suggested notifications of the
hillside streets in this ward, although We
have not yet had time to arrange the details
completely; nor are we prepared to recon-
| mend their adoption. Throughout thekrsat-
or part Of the ward, west of Third street,
We are, however, agreed upon the grades to
be recommended.
| Blondeau street, from the Leves to Sec-
ond street has bssn partly excavsted. Ii 10
| IL pfopOo0O W cO0pieso tulo 6teotuk - ouVN II
/ in the profile, leaving steep street between
the Levss and Second street; above Blon.
deau, no streets to be cut directly down "a
the Levee. The heights marked on the
streets Of the First Ward show that it hAl
been our object to preserve this high plateau
- nearly - possible in ts natural shape.
The prolongAtion Of Third street, affords
easy business connection with the railroad
depot and river, whilst the suggested ar
rangement Of First and Second streets would
, furnish convenient access to the Levse on
reasonable grade. Independently Of the con-
: sideration that the high grounds covering 90
much Of this Ward, are naturally adapted to
residence purposes, We may remark that the
} plan OF cutting down the streets to business
, grades connecting directly with the river,
would, in our jdgmont, il carried out, cost
the city IA enormous sum for tho excavation
Of the streets, and leave the lots Of little
value, either for residence or business pur-
poses. On the plan now proposed, much Of
the grading between Third and Sixth and
: from Main to Orleans streets is already
J done.
Main street, on q width Of 100 feet ex-
tends from the Levee to the western bound
airy Of tho city, rs originally laid out, abou.
l mile. The grading has been finished, and
nearly ell Of it McAdamized and paved, and
i,rbtad ~~,fh wss Numcraus ~ns.lu 4. al va