The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-06
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
WRANGLING OYER THE OPENING OF
SEVERAL TH0RoUGHFAREs.
Tho Members ofthe Street Committee Hold
aLengthy Session, but Transact Com
parativeIy Little Business.

| The Committee on Streets held called
meeting In the Hastings Court room yes
terday afternoon to consider the advisa-
| blity Of grading Lester street from Ash
| street TO orleans street, as asked for In
petition submitted by property owners
| in that vicinity. There were present
/ Captain w. II. Curtis and Messrs. Bahen.
Boykin, Brauer, Joseph W. Carter, Gray.
| Stratton, Thomas and Turpin.
| Colonel Cutshaw gave the names OF the
property owners on Lester or Rockets
street for the ten blocks between Ash
| and Orleans street He stated that the
width of the street for that distance
| varied from thlrty-seven to sixty feet,
| and he thought. II being business street.
fits width should be at least sixty feet.
It might be advisable TO undertake the
widening OF Lester street on the south
side and compensate the property own
ers thereby affected by extending their
property across Water street, which
street could be easily closed up.
The City Engineer explained that all
the interested property owners had been
invited to be present and give their
views as TO the proposed widening OF that
street. and TO what extent they would
be willing to donate the land required.
Several real estate agents who were
interested in the property expressed
themselves in favor Of the suggested i'm
provement, and Mr.. Proctor Of the Clyde
line. stated that his company would not
object 10 the exchange OF their property
on Lester street against an equal amount
on Water street
After some further discussion Mr.. Car
ter moved that the committee recommend
10 the Council the widening Of Lester or
I Rockets street TO a uniform width OF
sixty feet, the necessary property TO be
acquired by condemnation, gift, purchase.
| or otherwise at a cost not TO exceed
5000.
Mr. Gray moved to lay the matter on
the table until the cost OF the improve
ment can be ascertained.
Mr.. Turpin moved TO refer the subject
TO the City Engineer TO ascertain what
the interested property owners are viii
ling 10 do In the premises. This was
agreed to-
4 petition was read from property own
ers in the western part of the city ask
ing for the opening and grading 81 Ry-
land street from Franklin street TO Park
avenue.
The City Engineer stated that there
was no money available from this years
appropriation for such purpose, and Mr..
Gray. therefore, moved 10 lay the matter
on the table.
Colonel Cutshaw spoke OF the impor-
tance Of the opening Of that street, which
was crying necessity. and more needed
than the opening Of street in any other
part of the city.
Colonel r. T. Glasgow and Mr.. Charles
A. Rose spoke heartily in favor OF the
nd "A a
substitute that the committee recon-
mend 10 the Council the opening and grad
ing Of Ryland street at an expense not
TO exceed 5000.
After some further discussion Mr.. STRAIT
ton moved that the improvement be rec
commended to the Council. and the finance
committee be required to provide the he
cessary funds.
Mr. Turpin bitterly opposed the meas
ure. which he considered unnecessary in
the present financial condition Of the
city.
The committee finally agreed 20 n sub
sttute offered by Mr.. Carter, which re-
fers the whole matter 10 the City Engi-
neer for the purpose Of ascertaining the
cost Of the opening OF that street.
The committee decided TO reject a pc
tition Of Mr.. w. w. Cousins whose prop
erty had been damaged by the filling up
10 be paid damages.
The question Of opening and grading
OF streets In Lee District was next taken
up and discussed at some length. Colonel
Cutshaw presented the map Of Lee Dis
trict and stated that under the appropri-
alton OF $4,000 for the opening and grad
ing OF certain streets I'm the annexed dis
trict two additional streets could be i'm
proved besides those for which the work
had already been ordered
Major James Caskie and Mr.. y. w.
Bowe. appeared before the committee and
for various reasons advocated the OPEN
ing and grading OF Cedar and Ivy streets
I'm addition TO the other streets already
provided for.
A motion TO that effect was made by
Mr.. StrattOn and IL was carried, Messrs.
Curtis and Turpn voting against the
same, while Mr.. Gray al his request was
excused from voting for the reason, that
he IS interested I'm that locality.
on morton OF Mr.. Gray the committee
decided to postpone the time for the re-
ceiving Of bids for the improvements in
Lee District. which originally had been |
fixed for July 18th
Mr. Charles V. Meredith. the city at
torney, will be invited 10 attend the next |
meeting Of the committee, In order that |
certain complications I'm regard Ia the |
opening and grading OF streets In the an
nexed Lee District may be Strengthened !