The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-05
IMPROVING THE crrY,s STREETS.

Mr. James VI. Dooley. chairman OF inc
Lee district committee. proposes an ahenu'
ment Of tho city charter. which 10 very IN
portant in is bearings. and merits cs'eiul
consideration.
The charter provides already that whenever
a street shall DO graded, guttorod and
/ curbed By the city the sidewalks shall DO
paved at the expense Of the abattlng owners.
When this innovation was made few years
ago it was bitterly opposed by many Of our
citizens. but it is now recognized as law
very beneficial in its operations and property
owners in the suburbs are all eagar TO have
their streets improved in accordance with IT'S
conditions. But he city has not the means
necessary to do tho work. For years the
growth Of Richmond has been retarded tax
able value3 kept down and rents maintained
al an exorbitant standard because OF want
of funds to construct and improve streets
and to give those modern coveniences WITH
out which good houses will not be built.
The funds and resources Of tho city have
been absorbed in other directions. and u has
been found impossible TO obtain appropT.a-
llDl fullcltLL ~ iIctJ NfNA4 a. a+.@-'
requirements OF the street department
Mr Dooley's bill proposes TO extend the
operation Of the principle which was onSrai'-
oil a few years ago in tie charter so % 70 re-
ouire abuttiug owners who desire 70 Lave tho
streets improved to pay the cost Of grazing
euttoring. curbing and paving. while the CITY
puts in culvert. gas and water pipes But IL
order that this may not operate too oppres-
sively upon tie property owners the CITY is
required D. advance tho money from the pro-
ceeds Of its I per cent. bonds. Tho bonds are
to be lien upon the property improved anu
a special tax. equal to per cent. per anAum
on tho cost Of the improvement, Is 70 be COL
lected annually and applied TO payment OF IN
terest and redemption Of the principal OF the
bonds.
In most cities the property owner IS re-
ouired to pay the cost in cash. nder THIS
scheme no uses the credit Of the city TO Dor
row the money. lie pays per cent. per an
mum for thirty years which pays OIL Tie pr.n-
cipal and interest Of the debt. l. he desires
to have the lien sooner released a provision
for rebate is made on payment Of the cost
Of the improvement.
Such improvements as are above indicated
it is estimated by the City Engineer would
cost about 81 per front foot-say $40 on
thirty-foot lot. The interest or annual tax
therefore. would be sl2CO Oh each lot.
Clay ward, the most desirable Of all our sa-
burban territory. was added t. the citv quar-
ter Of century ago. Its streets are mud beds.
its sidewalks are unworthy Of village. u Is
time 10 make 4 new departure. Our system
of street improvements has been tried and
found wanting. If Mr.. Dooley's plan IS not
the best which can be devised let some one
propose a better. Otherwise, lctthis be adopt
ed and we can then proceed 10 consider the
question of an extension of our corporate
limits. But whether our corporate limits are
20 be extended now or hereafter LET Us 40
longer stand still while rival cities are forging
past US in the path Of progress and develop
mcnt.