The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-19
[CoMMUNGCATIoN.
The Improvement and Extension of Holiday
Street, &c, sc.
COMMUNICATION

Street, &C., &c.
To the Editors of the Exchange:
GENTLEMEN: have watched with much interest,
on public grounds-for regard it from no selfish
point OF view and am in no way personally connect
ed with the matter--the development and progress
OF the opposition that has been manifested to this, as
believe, most desirable locally beneficial and pub
licly useful project, than which, perhaps, street
Improvement in the city would be more valuable, is
more necessary, could be easily accomplished or
would, in all probability, pay better.
SO far the extension of Holiday street, south
wards, is concerned-(the point which is most ur-
gent, should be first secured and would be most ben
eficial to the city)-an inspection of the ground
shows the space between Baltimore and Second
streets to be nearly useless and almost valueess, in
its present state-being, mostly, open yards, oc-
cupcd only by few of the merest shells and apol-
ogies for buildings, in the shape of back premises,
&c. &C., to the properties fronting on these streets.
1t is evident, tn erefore, that the proposed extern
sion can be very readily, cheaply and Usediy made
at least between Baltimore street the north and
Second street on the south-unless indeed the
property holders ''stck up for such exOrbitant
rates of compensation neither law justice
would award to them. Whether their expectations
in this direction have any thing to do with the
(sham) opposition they profess to give to the pro-
iect they themselves best know. But certainly if
they do not look upon the matter in purely self
| ish light, they ought rather to hail the proposal as
worthy of encouragement and be ready to give up
what little of their land may be required of them
respectively for lHe nothing, when they consider
that the execution Of the improvements it will lead
to will convert their nearly useless unprof-
table premises, back end vacant land &C., into val
liable front property If from twenty to q hundred
times its present valut!
The German Reformed Church, on Second street
might be the centre o. Square, with an open area
street all round This, we supposed, the Trustees
or Corporation OF that church, the owners of the
ground can effect, if they please, without anv
special municipal authority or legislation on the
subject A judcious regard for the Improvement
and increased value of their property in this way,
will readily suggest to them the ADOPTION of this
simple and ready mode of turning their now. per-
haps, unremunerativc back premises into valuable
front property which would command high price
for building purposes and furnish sites for the erec
ton of blocks of counting houses, Offices &C.. for
which there is now and will, in all probability. for
many years be great demand for the accommoda-
ton OF the hosts of brokers, stockholders money
lenders, &C., &C., "who much do connrerate" in
that locality.
Tripolett's alley, if widened on the east side
would be the means of giving the public good
clean street instead of dirty, filthy alley. and do
away with the low, disreputable houses that are
now found there. Property all round would be
thus vastly increased in value and salubry while the
mora atmosphere of the neighborhood would doubt
less, be immensely heightened And then, at some
future, but hope not very distant time the owners
of the adjoining property on South and Gay streets
from regard to their own interests would see the
proprety of opening the private alleys that already
exist on these streets, to make them public
horo"ghJores into ''Church sq"oe,' Gas we may
call it, and Tripolett street, respectively
will not, however, gentlemen, further trespass
on your time and patience, at present. Much could
be said an aror, and but little it is believed aqainsi
this project. The Council will, no doubt act well
and wisely in relation to it; concede to ground
less camor to sham to petty private interests the
fine opportunity now presented of eflecting verv
valuable public Improvement
ours, respectfully, OBSERVER.
Baltimore, 18th May, 1858.