Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-06-02
FIRST STREET.
The Difficulties In the Way ef Its
Improvement.

Tne D1fflcultfeS In the way ef lts
Improvement.
First street, which is intended at some
future time to be the main thoroughfare
between this city and Boyle Heights, is
in bad condition at the present time.
A few months back grade was estab-
lished, between Hill and Grand avenue,
and tbe contract for paving was let.
Some of the property owners, who
thought that tunnel should be made
instead of cut, enjoined the contractor
their property. The court stopped the
work and the injunction was made per-
manent. No work can be done now un-
It'll condemnation proceedings are
gone through with and damages
awarded. Before these proceedings
| are commenced it is the intention
to adopt grade thatwill be fit for traffic.
/ Further down First street coraes the
proposition to widen the street. This
| has been made practically possible be-
low Los Angeles street, as far as the
river, but tho property owners between
Los Angeles street ond Main will not
set back, and if the width of the street
10 W UC luduC uhilOiLu,
proceedings will have to be commenced.
take such action as in the opinion of the
Councilmen the damages will not be 30
great now as in future years. Just below
Los Angeles street the street has been
opeu for some time, and the Gable Com
pady has not been able to complete its
track, because the Zanja Madre
80
Action has been taken in this
matter to remedy the evil, but it will
cause the expenditure of considerable
money in running the zanja down San
Pedro street and taking it off from the
south side of First street. 1t was 30
near the surface on this side of the street
that the granite pavement could not be
laid on top of it. First street has no
sidewalks to speak of as yet, because the
width Of the street has not been defin-
itely settled, but these, it is expected,
will come in time. When the river is
reached another obstacle is encountered.
Almost year ago contract was let for
the building of viaduct bridge and the
old bridge was removed to Ninth street.
Since then teams have had to cross
the river-bed. When the time came to
build the viaduct, Mrs. Bigelow and
Mr.. Schatte enjoined the builders from
proceeding in front of their property un-
til damages are paid. The question as
to whether this injunction will be per-
manent or not has been submitted to
Judge Shaw, who will probably render a
decision soon. In the meantime, the
Bridge Company, which should have
been constructing the viaduct up to the
property line of Mr.. Schatte, has been
doing nothing, and it is said that even if
the Injunction suit had not been brought
in court, the viaduct would be no further
along than it is. There is no great
amount of material for constructing the
viaduct on the ground, and the Boyle
Heights people can see no reason
why the Bridge Company has not
been at work for months past.
Even if the case were decided in favor of
the city tomorrow, it will take month
or so to build the viaduct. In the mean
time, the Gable Company is waiting to
get across the river, in order to complete
this branch of it's system, and the Boyle
Heights people are in despair of ever
having a thoroughfare on First street.
Some of them suggest that further
improvement of the street be abandoned,
and that some other street be improved.