Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-16
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WaShfputny, March 1894

SfriSk OF THE COMMISSIONERS,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
Washington, March Is, 1856.
Hon. WIN. NJ. SPRINGER, NJ. C.:
DEAR SIR: The Commissioners owe you an
apology for not having prepared "A bill with
maps, as they promised and intended TO do.
providing for the improvement OF the eastern
end OF the mall and the laying out OF the West
oapltof or monument avenue upon line
drawn from the center OF the capitol to the
center of the Washington monument The
commissioners were informed that there existed
certain maps, prepared by the officers i'm charge
of public buildings and grounds in former
years, and also by the architect of the Treasury
lor some Improvements west OF the Capitol,
whlch the Commissioners wished TO consult
before preparing the plans and maps aforesaid.
mat delay, together with the unusual press OF
business at this office, on account of the appro-
prtation and other bills. as well as other inn
portant business, have delayed this work until
the present time. Now, as TWO of the Commits
sloners are going out of office il becomes neces-
sary TO forward you the bill without the map
they would like to do.
The bill as drawn proposes the condem nation
OF purchase OF the two reservations between
Maine and Maryland avenues, known as
squares Z and ID, also squares 516, between
Maryland avenue ana south b street. and be-
tween LIST and ID streets west. The west part
of square 516, west of I'd street. is already a
pubic reservation. as well as the small triangle
west OF I'D street and north OF street. So that
from the condemnation purchase of the
three squares aforesaid the mall will be en-
larged as tar as south b street TO the Capitol
grounds. There has been no assessment of the
property since 1888. At that time square 5.t;
was assessed at S12,377, reservation e at 81 To-
500, reservation ID at S102, 500. It's probable
what higher. The bill i'm regard to the
purchase and condemnation OF this prop
erty follows substantially the provisions
OF a bill condemning certain squares for the
extension OF the park east OF the Capitol. found
in an appropriation law tvol. IL, L. 5. Stats,
p; SO, ct seq.( You will observe that the bill
also cOntemplateS extending Virginia avenue
from the northwest to the center of the monu-
ment, which, in connection with the avenue
continuous one from the Capitol To Rock creek.
The extension of Virginia avenue might require
it to be carried between the fish ponds north
west OF the monument. or possibly il NAV
impinge upon the banks of one or two of
them, but as there are will be SO
many other ponds, that will not prob
The Commissioners enclose a small sketch
hastily prepared, showing you the location OF
the squares TO be condemned. IL is also drawn
y suggest the idea the Commissioners have
been discussing among themselves as to the
proprlety in the near future of enlarging the
mall on the north TO Ii street. AS the real front
OF the Capitol Is towards the west, the Commits
soners also suggest for consideration whether
the three avenues from the west-Pennsyl-
vanla, Maryland and Monument the proposed
new one)-should not be brought at a suitable
grade directly TO the CapitO, where both by steps
and elevators that building would be entered
even more easily than by the approaches To
the east side, and whether with that view the
present Botanical gardens, the adjacent grounds
and streets should not be brought To a higher
grade. AS these ideas are not however en-
bodied IN the present project they need not
be now discussed nor estimates therefor be pre-
pared. Regretting that this must be hurried
OH To you in such incomplete form, and with
out proper maps for illustration, and begging
that you will reform the bill in those respects
II any, wherein it does bet meet your approvAl
the COMMISSIONERS remain as ever, DC.
j. b. EDMoNDS
President Board Commissioners