Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-08
CITY AND DISTRICT
THE CITY POST OFFICE SIZE.
The Comparative Cost and ADVANTAGES
OF the Two Sites Proposed

On the 21st Of May Senator Morrill, addressed
letter to the District Commissioners, pro-
pounding number of inquiries respecting the
two sites proposed for the city post once,
square 4O6, west OF the present Post Office de-
partment building, and square 459. on which
the rented building occupied now as a city post
office stands.
SENATOR MoRRILL's INrERRo0AroRIEs
Senator Morrill, wrote: "Wfu you be kind
enough to have investigation made Of blocks 4O6
ana 459fn this city and advise me if you have &C
cess 10 any Information In regard to the relative
value of the said blocks for q public building?
nat Is the relative value per square foot of the
Dioeks? Can Easements be constructed and
cost OF construction Of foundation in each
Oiock! is either in the flood piane? The rela-
i've cost OF construction on each block, taking
tive capacity for quarters of each? The Capacity
LOT ventilation and light of buildings on each?
ne cost per square foot of each block If block
soy Is rated at $500, 900, and block 400 at
$1,000; the alleys In each block to be in
Guided IN calculation? The relative value per
square foot of the two blocks at the said prices,
with Sth street, between the General Post Office
and block 4O6, added to block 4O8: II possible.
p E send sketches of the two blocks also?"
sioner, mas replied by transmitting to Senator
NORTH report made by the inspector of build
i ia ooSether with tracing OF the two squares
IA question:, showing the assessed value made
IN 1883, with a computation of the cost per loot
at the valuation proposed.
INSPECTOR ENTwIsLE's REPORT.
Inc report OF Building Inspector Entwisle is
as 1oilows: I'm answer to the inquiries con.
tanned tai in the letter of the Hon. Justin S. Nor.
TN, Onited states senate, OF May 21, 1856, ad-
dressed to the honorable commissioners District
OF Columbia, and by them referred to me, have
the honor 70 report that the accompanying
plats, Iurnished by the assessor of the District
OF Coiumpla, give the area of each square, as
also the approximate value per square loot A
Sth street, as compared with a five-story build
Ing on square 459, would have double the
capacity. In counting stories In each the base
falls so rapidly to the west that the entire base
ment would be on the 9th street front, and al
least half OF the E and + street fronts above
grace, ana by an open area for the remainder of
the TWO last-named fronts would be available
for use, independently OF the three up
Pee so stories r,S The basement in square
az; an area would be required for portion of
6th street and Louisiana avenue fronts. The
Land in square 4O6 is sufficient for solid foun-
daiions. but as portions OF square 459 cannot
be relied upon, there would be an increased
cost cost per square loot to supply reliable iounda
lion; Inc square 4O6 Is elevated far above
mood line, but it is my opinion that when exca-
vations are made in square 459 for cellars for
Iuel, heating apparatus and storage, it will be
necessary 10 use stop valves to prevent back
pressure rom the sewer In case OF flooding, As
The center OF this block on street is but I3
zee, ,eet above tide water, the B street sewer is on
Inc tloe water level opposite this point, and
luis sewer being Ola feet in height in clear
when nlled, which frequently occurs, would be
damaging TO the cellar, which, for the neces-
say purpose, should not be less than seven
ieet peioW the level on T. street front. have
mace inquiries OF the person who has been en-
proved IN the cellar of the present post office
since its occupancy, and he informs me that in
1881 the cellar which is but six feet and three
ln ie below the curb level, was flooded. This
aiinculty can be overcome by elevating the
Duiidlng about two feet, making three steps
above the sidewalk to the first floor on the
louisiana avenue front In point OF COMPARE
son as 10 ventilation and light on either side
Iuey are about equal, as the building in each
case must be constructed with courts and those
Win street fronts, as also proper construction
ior ventilation, there can be no difference As
70 the cost OF the structures / cannot give a
uenhlte answer, as the dimensions, Character
OF material and style OF architecture will con-
troll the COST"
THE COST OF THE GROUND.
Inc traclngs accompanying the report shows
that square 4O6, which is bounded by Sth, 9th,
+ and f streets. contains 10000 square feet,
making the cost per foot to the government
Sl2.oO, calculated on basis of $3.50 900 for
the whole. The assessment OF 1883 placed the
Value OF ground and improvements at $500 29l
The adjoining portion OF 9Th street, lying be-
tween the Post Office department building and
square 4O6, contains 20, TOO Ieet, which the
government could utilize without purchase
This would make the ground available amount
10 90, 700 square feet, and the cost per foot
$3.50. square 459, which is triangular in