New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-06-08
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Within very few years we believe there will moi
be finer "patch" of city on the continent than up
town New Orleans There is no prettier piece O
city now than this, with its pleasant and elegant
residences embowered in the luxuriance of tropit
vegetation, and Astounding in all the charms of rus
urban aspects but then there are certain 'tpul
backs" which enterprise must join hand with capita
in mitigating. The enclosures are delightful when
you are in them, but at some times in some seasons
how to get into them, rather how to get to them
is the question, for the streets approaching them
may be "sloughs of despond, }" with their accumula.
lions of mud, the residences and their immediate
surroundings standing in the sea of miry troubles
like fowery islets on stormy main. In the wet
times of winter 'bogged down" vehicles are an
hourly exhibition from the windows of many of the
most magnificent residences Of the Fourth District.
the lady dwellers therein being frequently impris-
oned for days, if not weeks, because their own car
riages cannot approach their own DOORS and defect.
i've sidewalks preclude pedestrian locomotion.
The opulent proprietors in those parts are the par
ties to blame for these disadvantages of course and
the reason is very apparent. 1t is because they gen
orally own such extensive lots OF ground fronting on
the streets that their square block paving bills would
be tremendous, should such improvements be carried
out, and they naturally hold to their dollars long
while before they feel willing to let them go for such
purpose This is shortsighted economy, for we be-
lieve there is no better investment for money than
square blocks laid in growing part of the city
Every dollar put into square blocks in city with
such soil as New Orleans has pays ten, fifteen or
twenty per cent in the consequent appreciation of
property. A square block pavement makes street
popular, unimproved property is rapidly bought up
and buildings command higher rents. Large owners
OF real estate in the upper part of the city, the pro-
perty fronting on impossible Streets have been pay.
ing taxes on it for many years that such outlay has
almost equaled the amount Of its appreciation while
in their hands, and there is yet no prospect of its
coming into favor; whereas, were the streets i'm.
proved, the judcious expenditure would soon be
many times repaid, for tide Of emigration" SO to
speak, would set toward them and the property
would be rapidly taken up in single lots or larger
quantities at fair or high prices.
Some wealthy residents up town object to having
the streets paved on which they live, on the
ground that they will become noisy and dusty
thoroughfares, and they prefer quiet life to hay.
ing their property increased in value. 1t is true,
that If only one street in dozen were to to be
thus improved it would become noisy thorough.
fare but we do not advocate any such partial pro-
gress as this; we go in for general improvement,
and then one street will be no more thoroughfare
than another because of the superiority of roadway
However, the number of those whose fancy for quiet
is stronger than for making money is few and if the
majority who differ with them only second their own
sentiments by practically recognizing the excellence
OF square block pavements as investments uptown
will be the finest well as the pretiest "patch" of
city on the continent.