The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-16
KEEP THE STREETS OPEN.
Business Men Opposed TO Closing
Indian or River Streets.

Indian or River Streets
Shall Indian and River streets be closed
ups That is a question which the city coun-
Gil has TO decide. The Central railroad has
asked the city to concede it certain rights
beyond the Ogeechee canal, on the old
water works tract, which, it is claimed If
granted, will materially retard the progress
Of that and other sections Of the city. IL is
understood that some concession has already
been granted.
The county commissioners advised that
no part Of the city's rights to streets in that
section be surrendered, and they placed
themselves on record against such a move
by the following resolution adopted at the
last meeting:
Resolved, That in view of the fact that the
county commissioners have under consideration
the opening OF road running PARALLEL with the
river, which will be extension of Indian
street. this board respectfully requests that the
city council do not give up its right Of way to
said street or any other street west OF the canal
The improvement and development OF the city
ana county require that not only no rights OF
way should be closed, but that no steps should
be taken that will prevent the future growth of
the city in that direction.
Since the commissioners action, the bust
ness men are stirred up over the matter
There is a concensus of opinion against the
city's granting the privilege of closing the
streets at the expense, it is claimed, of
almost the entire river front, east of West
Broad street. The Central railroad laid out
that portion of the city west of the canal
during President Wadley's administration
the company decided the city River, Wad-
ley and Bay streets, which it laid out, for a
consideration, and the deed is still in force.
In February, 1888, the city council adopted
this resolution:
Resolved The finance committee be author
lied to sell the old water works tract of land ex-
cept such portion of 1t as may be required to
build bridge over the canal, and for the con-
tinuation of Indian street through said land.
Ex-Alderrnan Thomas, for many years
chairman of the street and lane committee,
was asked his opinion yesterday
on the closing of the streets.
Mr.. Thomas said that it is five
years since a special committee of council.
of which he was a member, spent $40 900 of
the city's money in opening and widening
the streets OF YamRcraw, and particularly
Indian and River streets, for the accommo-
dation of travel to the Ocean steamship
wharves, as well as to enable the railroad
company to run a track through River
street. 1t was the intention in widening
River street from 80 feet to 60
feet, to establish line Of rail-
road along the 80 wharf front
This, Mr.. Thomas said, would greatly inn
prove that portion Of the city and confine
at least a part of the improvements to that
section which is most convenient for business
the river front east of West Broad street.
In former years steamships coming to Sa-
vannah occupied the wharf front between
| West Broad street and the Savannah, Flor
ida and Western railway wharf, and i'm
| mense storage houses were built, and many
of these are now idle since the improve
ments have gone farther up the river.
The Central railroad has purchased
some property east of West Broad street, and
| il no obstacle is thrown in the way to hinder
or impede progress in that locality, il is not
unlikely that the property will become act
i've. Indian street is one of the prettiest
streets in its section. 1t Is slightly in
| clined and affords q magnificent
roadway. It is well located OF
business purposes. 1t has an easy grade,
and if extended will afford splendid route
for Bay street travel to the steamship
wharves. Bay street. west Of West Broad
street, is not as wide as Whitaker street,
provement to properly accommodate travel
from the wharves, warehouses, factories
and the country travel which is expected
over the Augusta road. 1t was necessary
to the growth of the city to open up the
streets out that way, and the enor.
nous increase in travel since These
streets were opened makes it as
|
A serious impeachment will follow, Mr.
Thomas believes, if Indian and River streets
are closed. 1t will force travel from the
river front up an Objectionable incline tc
get to a street leading across the canal.
Mr.. Thomas said that it was proposed tc
run railways in that section as the trave
increases. They cannot be run on Bay
street if the travel of the other two streets
is diverted to it, as Bay street is toe
narrow. The land beyond the cana
widens, westward, as the river
makes turn northward. No street pene
trates the territory west OF the canal, ex
cept Bay street. From distance of 1906
feet, from Bay street along Wadley street
to the river. the land gradually widens until
at Musgrove creek it is over one-half mile
from Bay street to the river. This is the
section that is rapidly building up.
In reply to question as to what he
thought should be done about the matter
Mr.. Thomas said: al think that the city and
the railroad company should strive to pro-
tect the property on the front of the city
and not only protect it but if possible restore
its old value" He cited as an instance OF
how the property has deprecated the pur.
chase of piece of wharf property, extend
ing from Bull to Drayton streets on Bay, 6
few days ago for 81, 900. "Other property,
he added, "for want Of revenue cannot be
kept up by the owners"
CITY BREVITIHS.