Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-02
EXPECTS SPEEDY ACTION.
Mayor Gourley to Sign the Petition
for the Improvement to
PREVENT A CHANGE IN THE PLANS.
His Honor Pleased With Chief Elliot'l
Course in Letting
TIE CONTRACT FOR A NEW POOR FARM

Chief Bigelow yesterday predicted that
In less than year Diamond street will
nave been widened, paved and opened up
for the great business houses which will
naturally seek such an excellent location.
At the next meeting of Councils the
Chief will introduce a petition containing
the signatures of a majority of property
holders in number and interest asking for
tine improvement Accompanying the petit
tion will be an ordinance authorizing 1t TO
be carried out The Chief says the neces-
sary majority was secured months ago, but
the matter has been delayed in order to get
more signatures, which has been done.
Relative to the resolution authorizing the
Mayor to sign the petition in behalf OF the
city Mr.. Bigelow SAYS it's only object is to
guard against a change in the plans by
possible change in the municipal admins
tration.
VIM Prevent a Change of Plans.
The effect of the city's becoming a pc
titioner will not affect her liability for
damages or expense of the improvement one
cent either way. Such thing as the city
becoming liable for the expense Was not
thought of by the trainers of the resolution
and Mr.. Bigelow says it would be impos-
sible.
"The enhancement of values on Diamond
street." said he, twill justify every man on
the street in paying his share of the dam
ages When the matter was first talked of,
three years ago, Diamond street property
was worth only $500 foot The natural in
crease since then would make 1t worth
about 81 900, but in view of this improve
ment it is worth more than twice that
Make it q 50-toot street and it will demand
$4,000 foot at least Fifth avenue prop
ertv on the same blocks is worth
Sc, 000 On Fourth avenue, only 20 feet
wide, it is worth from $1,000 to s, ,000
Those are market figures. Why should an
owner not be willing to accept such a hand
some increase to his wealth? No improve
ment ever made in this city has added so
much to the value of abutting property as
this will
Two Years Make q Difference.
''The damages will not be nearly as heavy
as they would have been two years ago.
Leases then worth many thousands which
would have to be assessed have since ex-
pired o- will expire shortly and that money
is saved. Those leases made since are SUBJ
iect to the improvement and will cost moth
ing. At the market house, for instance, all
the stalls on the line of the improvement
have been leased subject to the opening of
the street, and the holders cannot claim
cent Of damages This would have been a
who were kicking and gfumbling because
they were compelled to pay the city 800
wear for rent of their stalls went before the
Board of Viewers then and swore their
business amounted to S125, 900 a year, one
third of which was profit, and demanded
damages in that amount for the two years
their leases were to run. 1t Is different
now, not only in the market, but all along
the street.
'The plans have been changed, too. The
arcade through the market will not affect
will have Is or 19 feet clear above the
street, and that will be enough to comply
with the law.
Some Contemplated improvements.
elevators will be put in both buildings,
Old City Hall and the Duquesne Grays'
armory will be filled with stalls, and
glsss-covered bridge will span Market
street, connecting the second floors of the
two buildings Instead of running the mar
ket the improvement will double its i'm
portance and availability"
Mayor Gourley had not examined the
resolution last night, but said he would
give it careful attention in q few days At
first glance he could see no good reason why
he should not sign it His Honor yesterday
approved the resolution awarding the
contract for the new Poor Farm build |
ings to c. A. Balph at $685., ,OO0 In
speaking of it be said: 'It affords me
pleasure to say that Chief Elliot has been
the first chief of department to award
contract by resolution of Councils since L
have been Mayor. This is as it should be,
as 1 am satisfied the decision of the suit now
in court will esta blish, and Mr.. Elliot was
right to take no chances in having the con- |
struction of his buildings delayed. 1 think |
the contract is all right and the figures
reasonable"