Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-03
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP,
The Present Time Favorable for
Making Improvements.
BUILDING has NOT BEEN gVERDONE
The Tax for Laying Water Mains
Said 70 Be Unequal.
SOME IMPROVE MENTS

Although the formal attempt to estab-
l:sh a lower rate of prices in the building
industry. which was contemplated when
the conference held last week was called
failed, still ii is maintained that the pres
ent affords favorable opportunities for those
who desire to invest their money in i'm
provements. There is some question In the
minds of a few who have given the present
situation some thought as to whether a
market actually exists for additional houses
and buildings. The impression which was
somewhat general during the latter part
| Of last year that building here had been
| overdone. still has an influence. A careful
| survey of the present situation does not
result in finding any very substantial foun-
| dations for such a belief.
1t is true that there are quite a large
number of houses that are unrented and
! unoccupied. The number, it is gratifying
I to know, is not SO great as it was several
months ago. ana IL careful calculation
was made now the ngures winch have been
generally quoted when this subject has
peen under discussion would be found to be
surprisingly inflated. If, SAID, there
| are so many houses standing Idle, and the
market for houses to rent and to sell is
practically gone, then this condition, II Is
thought, would make itself manifest in the
| general tone of the market. In other words,
| IT Is thought that general slump in prices
would ensue. and that property would be
sacrificed on all sides.
That this is not the case and has not
been the case is well known to every one
who has kept track of the course of the
market. followed the record of the auction
sales and made inquiry at real estate Of
fices for those much sought after. but sell
dom seen prizes, namely, bargains. 1t is
believed that a market does exist, that the
town has not been overbuilt, and that the
present affords an excellent opportunity
for those who desire to make improve
ments. While there is no Official schedule
builders, still the inducements in that line
can, no doubt, be realized equally as well
as IL the public meeting had in formal
resolution taken action.
The Water Main Tax.
The growth of the city constantly finds
illustration in a variety OF ways. Some of
them appear TO be of minor consequence
but, nevertheless, they have significance.
| An instance is found in the complaints
| which are heard from suburban property
| owners, who assert that the present tax of
one and one-quarter cents per square foot
for laying new water mains bears unjustly
| on them. person is obliged to stop and
| think a moment before he can fully realize
the bearing OF such complaint. The as
founding fact 'is that water mains are now
| being constructed along suburban streets.
This expensive work is not being under
taken by the District authorities and charg-
Il
| amusement or for the sake Of adding I'd
| the linear length Of the water service. The
growth OF the suburbs Is such and the
houses erected are of such character that
water and sewer facilities are absolute
necessities.
The inequality Of the law is said to lie IN
the fact ahat II does not consider the dffyer-
ence between the ordinary CITY LOT AMI this
suburban lot. In the latter Gaze IN. ground
usually has a depth of zoo feet Sometime
goo rect In the former case the average
depth a is about 100 feet. The assessment Of
the water main tax on the basis of the
square foot is therefore said to be unjust
and an effort will be made to have the law
| basis OF $l.2o per front foot.
The Takoma Town Hall.
The enterprisirg citizens Of Takoma Park
who have undertaken to supply that -four.
fshing suburb with a town hall have made
| such progress that they have already Sc.
| cured a site. This is the location where the
| Hotel Watkins. which was recently burned
| stood. 1t Is the intention to erect there 3
| four-story brick building which. in its ex.
| terror plans at least, will give the passel
by, whether he is moved by electricity OF
by steam, some idea of the substantial
greatness and enterprise Of the municipalit,
| of Takoma Park.
This section of the suburb is now so close
ly connected with the city by means of TIE
electric railroad that II may be considered
| a part of the capital city In fact all tina,
section of the country which is SO rich tr
farm lands, and where for years past the
| substantial citizens of Washington have
| sought the comfort of homes in the country
| has of recent years greatly changed in char.
| acter. The proximity of a great center OF
population is being felt, and the lourishine
| settlements that have sprung UP all through
| this portion of the suburbs and the large
| additions to the population attest the in.
| fiuence of the growth in the population OF
| the city.
| At the Building Once.
The building inspector is looking forward
to a lively spring building season. Durine
| the winter the building business has beer
| unusually dull. Inspector Entwisle believe:
the outlook is bright.
Condemning Old Buildings.
The building INSPECTORS. when not en-
ployed in inspecting new buildings, hav,
been actively engaged in condemning OLD
dilapidated buildings. All over the cit,
there are buildings landmarks of ante bel
| lum days. in an advanced stage Of decay
Some of them are owned by prominent mer
| and II has been difficult matter to hay,
| them condemned. But the crusade begur
a fortnight ago. is being actively wage
and the city is being secured by the Distric
| officials for old dilapidated houses unfit 10,
haotanon. ana dangerous to life and limb
In each case the occupant and owner an,
| notified OF the action. The former is giyer
thirty days to move. and the latter to hay,
the building taken down Immediately.
| The Letter Fence.
| Inc event OF the past Week was the az
ton of the building inspector in orderin,
Mr.. L. z. Letter to reduce the height of hi,
fence. The fence was built ten feet high
three feet In excess of the limit allowed h,
| regulation. Mr.. Letter had a conferenc,
| with the building inspector during the weel
| and desired to know what he could 40 ~,
| was told emphatically that the marry Wal
rights of the adjoining owner must be co,
| sidered and that the best way out Of RI,
| matter would be for him to deed a s,ri,
OF six inches of his land 10 the adjonin,
owner for a party wall. 1t is understoos
that this will be the solution of the nrob
| lem. Ho'
| Some New Buildings.
Plans have been made by Victor Mi,
delef, architect, for two three-story En-
glish basement houses to be built on Flor,d,
avenue between 14th and 18th street
northwest. They will contain all moder,
Improvements.
A two-story and cellar dwelling is to h
built on Sth street near II northeast at ,
cost OF $500.
A three-story and cellar residence will
be built as parsonage for St Cypriani
Church, 18th and G streets southeast 1
will have entire front of either Hummels
town brown stone or press brick and stone
Furnaces, electric fixtures, cabinet mantel
and other modern appliances will be used.
Five three-story residences will be bull
by Raymond S. Donaldson at Sd and
! streets northeast.
The building 1907 G street northwest Il
to be enlarged. remodeled and converted