Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-10-18
PUBLIC WORKS.


spectea ~ tho Board.
The Board of Public Works took its
regular tour about the city yesterday,
present Messrs. Wirsching. Shafer, Ham,
ilton and Van Dusen Of the Council,
Assistant City Engineer Lownes, Deputy
Street Superintendent Ellis, Jos. Mes
mer, ]. E. Yoakum, and several news
paper representatives. The first section
of the city visited was East Los Angeles.
A petition had been received requesting
permission to widen Prospect avenue, in
the Norton tract. 1t was decided to grant
this at the meeting today.
The attention of the board was called
to Truman street and HellmRn street,
between Downey avenue and Hawkins
street. Both of these streets had been
graded north of Downey avenue, and the
two blocks south to Hawkins street had
been left in bad condition. As the law
gives the Council the right to order two
blocks OF street graded, where the
street is graded on either side, it was de-
cided to recommend that these streets be
graded between the points mentioned.
During the drive through East Los An
geles, Mr.. Mesmer called attention to
the fact that the water during the rainy
season finds its way along Mozart street
in such quantity as to frequently cover
the curbs. The streets in that part of
town all slope in that direction, and in
stead of going down Downey avenue the
water flows east in some places instead
Of toward the river. Deputy City En-
gineer Lownes said that one reason why
SO much water found its way to Mozart
street was because there WAS no cross
street between Downey avenue and Prim-
rose street running from Griffin avenue
to DAILY street on which q part of the
water could be carrie to the river. The
party was driven to the point where Hoff
street ends suddenly and where PROPOSE
ton was made some time since to extend
the street. 1t was stated that if the prop.
erty owners would petition again to open
the street. the proceedings would be
commenced.
A proposition to grade Alta street, be-
tween Downey avenue and Hawkins
street, was also investigated, and it was
decided to grant the request of the
property owners.
The board next visited Vallejo street,
where it joins Workman. Mr.. Van
Dusen stated that q few nights since a
buggy was overturned on this street, and
he wanted it put in passable condition.
1t was stated that a. the street had moi
been graded and accepted by the city,
nothing could be done in the matter.
Mr.. Mesmer entertained the party
pleasantly at his residence, and then the
return trip was commenced via. Kuhrts
street. Between the Kuhrts.street bridge
and the Downey avenue approach there
lie deep hole which is covered by 8
pond of stagnant water. An outlet had
been provided. but it was not placed
low enough to drain all the water. The
proposition to lower the vent was dis.
cussed. as also was the proposition to
have the property owners fill in the hole.
The next place visited was Seventh
street, near Logan avenue. In this vi
entity a great amount of grading is going
on. The hills are being cut down and
the gullies filed, and in a short time this
part of the city will hardly be recognize
able by those who have not visited it fol
several months. 1t was feared that the
contractor in grading and filling Logan
avenue, between Orange and Seventh
streets, had not made provision for al
lowing the water in the arroyo to flow
along it's natural channel. It was found
however, that the contractor had put il
pipes to carry off the water.
The Seyenth-street park was next Wis
tied, and the condition OF the bulkhead
examined. 1t was apparent that the
filling mentioned in the HERALD few
days ago is necessary to protect the stree
when it is filed in, and the property
below. 1t was informally decided to rec
ommend that the street be graded snt
the bulkhead filled, providing ths
expenses be paid out of the Park fund.