Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-28

The District authorities are engaged in the
work necessary to carrying out the provisions
OF the act of Congress establishing permanent
system OF highways, and today an important
advance was made by the completion by the
engineer department Of the first map Of that
section Of the suburbs Of Washington between
the Geological Park and Soldiers Home, show
ing the proposed extensions of streets and ave-
uues and the notifications of the irregular Sec
tons north Of Boundary.
There Is no matter before the Commissioners
OF az much Importance as this proposed plan Of
street extensions, and careful consideration is
being given to all the details. For weeks the
engineer department has been considering the
questions presented and the plan submitted to-
day is the first result. 1t bears the official ap-
proval of Capt Rossell. the Engineer Commits
sioner, and Capt. Fiebeger, his assistant in
charge Of street extensions
II may be some time, however, before this
plan is decided upon, and may be a different
map will have to be made, as the Commission
ers, before finally deciding, propose to hear all
perso MS interested and carefully consider objec-
tons.
ENGINEER RICHARDS REPORT.
The report Of Engineer Richards. who was
placed in charge Of the preparation Of this
map, is as follows:
II respectfully submit herewith a map show
ing the proposed extension of streets and ave-
nues through the suburbs between the Zoologi-
cal Park and the Soldiers Home The subdi-
visions shown upon the map in question are
bounded on both the east and west by parks
that are likely to be permanent barriers to any
direct communication between streets on either
side OF them. On this account streets running
east and west can never be large thorough
fares, and, as the subdivisions are located di-
recay north Of the heart Of the city. streets
running north and south will naturally become
the main lines Of travel. These north and south
streets Will also be the lines Of communication
Tor all settlements north Of Soldiers Home and
the congested state Of travel on Brightwood
avenue and 14th street suggests the need in the
future OF streets parallel to these that will be
practically avenues.
THE AVENUES.
"in regard to highways corresponding in
general direction to the avenues of the city, it
would seem that two such lines Of communica-
ton would be all that are absolutely demanded
within the area between Boundary street and
Spring road. One Of these avenues to extend
from LIE Droit Park to Mount Pleasant and the
otLer from Petworth running southwest to
Boundary: The first Of these, il so located as
to run in direct line from New Jersey avenue at
w A1'i esroet Hoao, VIII IOuOW the
best natural grade leading from the city to
Mount Pleasant. There are very few buildings
OF note In this proposed line from
TN street to the 14th street road.
Below 7th street its extension would be quite
expensive, and have not indicated it upon the
map. Inc avenue running southwest would
begin with direct extension OF New Hamp-
shire avenue from Petworth ~ far as whitney
avenue. The route would then be by whitney
avenue and lAth street to the Columbia road
and thence by Co lumbia road to Boundary. A
direct avenue line running in the direction lust
indicated would be Of enormous expense and
would hardly offer any better facilities for
travel
"For the opening or widening Of streets run
ming north and south ! have merely shown
what has previously been submitted by this
office. Among these 18th street is the only one
attended with any great expense for its open
Ing. For streets running east and west have
In general indicated q widening / under
stand that this il practically accomplished with
some Of the streets BY clause in the deeds Civ
ing sufbcient parking TO make the building
lines ninety feet apart. The plan Of rectitica-
ton II impossible in certain parts without
some Of the old street lines be abandoned.
Following 10 outlined the extensions in parts
EAST OF SEVENTH srlxlr.
"In the subdivision adjoining the Soldiers
Home it il proposed to wipe out the only street
running north and south and produce 7th in
Petworth (slightly deheceed) ~ the reservoir
grounds. roadway along the reservoir win
then connect this street with ~ street in L.
Droit Park, and will thus provide direct COM
municataon with the city. An avenue (Michi-
gsn) running along the Soldiers Home grounds
II also proposed, while the streets running east
and west are merely to be widened