Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-08-06
OUNI II -NIOA Ed
The Proposed New Grades.

The Proposed New Grades.
There is at this time pending in the City
Council measure, the Importance OF which
the public at large know but very
little Of. 1t is but seldom that sweep
ing and radical change in the grades
of the streets is proposed, as is EMBRACED in
the measure now before the Council. The
citizens, whose property interests are most
affected BY the proposed changes, are in
biissful ignorance of the calamity that is thus
impending over and threatening them.
There has been no publicity given to the de-
tails and particulars Of the measure, as to
the changes, damage, or coats it would in
volve, or as TO how it would affect the pro-
perty along its line. The people, indeed,
have q vague idea that it is general mea-
sure for grading, paving, and improving the
streets. and therefore do not realize that il
the present bill is carried out in detail they
will be involved in ruinous loss and damage
by the injury done to their property, in the
impairment of its value, by the heavy COSTS
necessary to reinstate it, and by the burden.
some tax for grading and paving in front OF
their premises, which they will have to bear.
Knowledge on any subject, to be of value,
must bs timely. It will be too late when the
ton; the remedy then will be past.
Il can be clearly shown, think, that this
is one of those questions in which the peo-
rle are the most interested parties, and that
thew should have protection, or they will
protect themselves. 1 now proceed to no.
tice some of the prominent features of the
so called street improvement measure. l
can only advert to few which most i'm
pressed me at the time bad the opportuni-
ty of inspectiong the plot or map. The
data for the heights are presumed 10 be COR
rect. as they were given By an engineer OF
reputed competency. The map itself, as
understand, was made by other parties, who
worked up and used the aforesaid data in
equating and delinestiug the grades there.
On. 1t is to the map aud some of its pecu.
liar features that desire to call attention.
First, then, beginning on the corner of
King and Patrick streets, and running
north to Cameron, the map shows
rise or hip in the middle of the
SQUARE of three feet or more, done
twas said to pitch the water both ways.
This change of grade will raise the side.
walks above the first foors of some of the
houses on the west eide of this square. 1t
will subject them to expense of raising their
floors. steps and cellar doors, and in some it
will necesstate change in the second story
floors, and also the roofs, to get proper
height for the stories There is no telling
what the damage and cost will be by such a
radical departure from the present line.
Now. the most singular thing in this matter
ia that there Is no necessity for any change
of grade whatever on his square; the pres
sent line for about 80 feet, falls to King
street hy gentle descent The rest Of the
SQUARE falls 10 Cameron street by an easy
decline aud so ample provision is al
ready made to carry of all the water
that falls on this square. La the
name of common sense, what is the pro-
priety for change of grade here especially when
il can be seen that the proposed change IS In eve
nv respect an injury and q serious detrlment TO
the square, by raising hill in the centre there
by merring its appearance and lp)uring IL Tor
driving pur poses. Secondly, going still north on
Patrick street, we ind the square between Gamer,
on and Queen streets already graded, cnrDed ana
guttered There is no difficulty here IN drainage.
All the water that falls this square has an easy
and speedy outlet on Queen street.. There Is no
necessity whatever for interfering with the grace
of this square, as it has fully two feet fall Yet
notwithstanding these facts that are so apparent
TO all, the map shows another hill or raise of IL
inches or moro in the centre of this square also.
The mapmaker must have been partial TO crooked
lines a straight line was too tame or common
thing to be employed, or else in making the map
there was strange oblivion to the rights OF those
most interested, recklessness of the damage cost
and inconvenience his work would entail. Ii the
proposed pan is carried out in this square there
wi occur the same damage and loss to the prop
erty- holders us mentioned in the hr5t case. The
line grade 10 the centre of the square will raise
the sidewalks 10 inches or more above the present
height. This will swallow up the first floors OF at
lesst six houses-two on the west and four On the
east side of this square. Some of them are now
only about five or six inches ab)ve the pavement
line The pavement will be t. OF or more above
the first floors, which will involve complete
change of the houses. 1t will necessitate the
raising of the floors and. roofs to give proper
height to the stories. Can the committee having
the matter in charge be really aware of the dam
age and loss to the owners of this property which
the proposed change of grade will Gauge? L am
charitable enough to believe that they have not
really seen the great injury which an adherence
to the present plan will entail on the people of
this section. 1t would take thousands of dollars
to repay the loss and damage inflicted on one
square alone and this does lot include the cost
for grading and paving the street or for raising
and paving the sidewalks. II there wa real ne
cessity for a change of the grade l should be ST.
lent aud acquiesce at once but there is none what
ever in the two squares above mentioned, as l
have shown, and as careful inspection by prac-
ticed eve will show to any one; hence the present
scheme of street improvement has all the more
the appearance of an objectless and want1n injury