The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-29
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Petition Presented for the Extension of
Seventh street.

Seventh Street.
The following petition was prepared yes
terday for presentation 70 the finance COM
mittee Of the City Council Of Richmond;
1--WE. the undersigned, being aware that
YOU have referred 10 your committee, a reso-
luton to appropriate $4,000 TO extend the
present northern terminus Of Seventh street
/ TO the corporate limits, respectfully urge
/ that you give this resolution your favorable
/ consideration for the reasons following:
! /. "The South Side Land and Improve
ment Company are now building street
car line on Seventh street, and having "a
charter to go TO the Richmond Locomotive
and Machine Works, have no other means
Of reaching that point, and are very anxious
| 20 have the street graded on that account;
p "That the Richmond Locomotive and
Machine Works now working $50 en-
plOyes, nearly every one Of whom are resi-
dents Of this city, has no practical thorough
fare east Of Second street, or west of Seven
teenth street.
3. "'fhat il is the best route from tine
heart Of the city TO the elaborate improve
ments on Barton's Heights and the pro-
posed suburban residences on the lands OF
Messrs. FOurQuroan and others.
4. "That It is the.Only practicable substi-
tute for the expensive fiith-street bridge;
and
.. "That the Richmond Locomotive and
Machine Works are constantly visited by
prominent and influential strangers who
have 10 pass through a most unattractiyc
part Of our city to reach their destination
and get bad impression Of our town.
q. There will be 100 feet of street with
good building lots on the west side, COM
manding a view OF the Valley, and that the
taxable values will beyond question be so
increased as to make this extension profta-
bic to the city as an investment.
:. THAT the great need Of our city, recog-
nized by all, is desirable suburban resi-
dences, and that no section is more attrac-
tive in topography than that lying on The
north. and that sufficient means Of access
has heretofore absolutely debarred this sec
ton from its natural use and that Seventh
street will afford an agreeable drive to that
section;
:. 'sThat the right Of way has been given
by all inside Of the corporate limits, who
have been interviewed on the subject, and
that the land as it stands now has merely
nominal value. IL is proper 10 state here
that one of our prominent citizens is now
negotiating for property through which the
right of way has not been given, and IN the
event of his success in procuring IL vii give
the right Of way.
o. s.That the culvert in the deep ravine
has already been built and awaits only the
embankment.
"Mr. L. Il. D. Myers, a civil engineer,
formerly one Of Colonel Cutshaw's assist
ants. has made an estimate, and finds that
the right of way being given, and the addi-
tional right on the part of the property
owners being secured to grade their lots 10
suit the street, thus afording sufficient
earth 20 make the necessary embankment,
the street can be opened with width Of
twenty feet for the sum Of $1,000. and that
the dumpings from the city and other carts
will thereafter rapidly make the street its
full width as has been the case with Fifth,
Sixth, Seventh Ninth. and Tenth streets.
We urgently request that you recommend
this appropriation of $1,000.
Lastly. In the event Of its becoming
necessary 20 condemn the very small p0r-
ton of the right OF way not given, that the
cost will be trining, if anything at all, as
any commissioners appointed 10 condemn
will probably consider the extension an inn
proyement rather than a detriment 10 prop
erty."
Signed: A. Langstaif Johnson, engineer
S0uthside Land and Improvement Com
pany; /. Davenport, Jr.. John Purcell
Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works,
by W. X. Trigg, president.