Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
STREET EXTENSION
The Map Of the First Section Practi-
cally Completed.
TEE ClTY'S PLAN IN THE SUBURBS
The Proposed Line of the Extended
Streets and Avenues.
BEAUTIFUL BOULEVARDS

mat OF the extension of the city streets.
For months the District engineer depart
ment has been engaged upon this work, and
countless maps have been prepared, show
ing In detail the different schemes Of ex-
tension. 1t Is a big subject, a herculean
task, for there are property interests that
must be considered, and steep grades and
other details that call for the exercise of
the best engineering Judgment in the COM
pletion, or rather the successful completion,
of such an important work.
Unlike other cities, Washington was at
the beginning laid out on a geometrical and
almost ideal plan. and on scale worthy
the capital of a great nation. 1t is hardly
possible that the most sanguine of it's
founders ever dreamed that the original
limits of the city would be passed within
century. No active effort was made to pro-
vide for the enlargement Of the city's plan
until some seven eight years ago. when
the people suddenly realized that q per-
nicio1s system, or rather lack Of system, in
suburban subdivisions was rendering the
extension Of city streets impossible on their
present lines. What had been done in other
cities was being reversed here. The greater
Washington was growing into "cow-path
city" string Of subdivisions along
Boundary street from Massachusetts, avenue
to LIST street had been made without the
direct extension of a single street or avenue,
and with very little regard as to connections
with each other; some Of them, in fact.
shutting of communication with adjacent
subdivisions. Streets had been laid out
along the old roads or parallel to them, and
In widths no greater than city places and
alleys.
The EVIL Checked.
Six avenues were thus blocked at Bound
airy street, making them end at the bottom
Of the hills. and in a street about half their
width. Congress was appealed to for aid in
the matter, the plan being to extend the
city streets by condemnation through these
irregular patches, and then make all new
additions conform to the city plaa. Failing
to get the legislation desired. some law was
requested to prevent a spread of the evil in
new subdivisions. This brought forth the
act of 1885, regulating all future subdivisions
In the District. number of subdivisions
were made in accordance with this law,
which were, of course, laid out after the
city system, so that when the city streets
are extended and the intermediate tracts
are subdivided, the whole will form one
harmonious plan.
Continued efforts were made to have the
first idea carried out, and the result was the
permanent system of highways" This
act provides for the recording of extension
plans with the surveyor and for condemna-
ton proceedings, but no money was APP
item being cut out of the original BILL
There has therefore been no necessity for
hurriedly prepared plan of extension, and
the Commissioners hope In a short time
to present for record a complete and well
digestei plan of all that suburban section
north of Florida avenue and Included be
tween North Capitol street extended and
Rock creek. Some few hearings have been
had on the subject and written sugges-
tons and petitions have come from all sides.
What the Map VIII show.
This first section covers an area of about
nine square miles-two square miles in park.
one square mile divided after the city sys-
tenn, four square miles unsubdivided and two
square miles being covered by irregular sub
divisions. These last comprise several thou
sand small lots owned by as many individ-
tails. 1t Is these small holdings that have
proved such an obstacle In the way of
street extension, as many of the lots will
be wholly included within the lines of pro-
posed streets ard must be purchased. 9th
ers Will have but a small area taken from
one end of the lot. and additional benefits
may balance the value OF the part taken
and no damages allowed.
In the agricultural or unsubdivided parts
very little condemnation will be necessary
as it is expected to get the streets when
subdivisions are made. The plan Of this first
section cover about thirty good-sized
maps showing all details necessary
for complete record. The localities CT all
proposed avenues are given upon every lot
line that Is crossed as well as the area
taken. Most of the streets have been re-
tained and widened, the rectifcation being
mainly by the extension of particular ave
nues and streets northerly from the city.
Sixteenth street will be extended with its
present width and direction to the District
line, distance of more than six miles
from the White House, one mile being
along the eastern boundary Of Rock Creek
Park, where a beautiful view can be had
OF the valley. Thirteenth and 18th streets
are to remain as now laid out with the
exception Of some widening, and will be
extended north to the District line Thir-
teenth street from Ksnesaw avenue north
has an excellent natural grade and win
become fine drive into the city If kept free
from tracks, which Is likely. as 1t runs very
near to Brightwood avenue.
Deviations From the Line.
New Jersey avenue on account of some
steep grades Is bent from its city direction
and also reduced in width. 1t follows the
line of a small valley direct from Boundary
to 14th street, and along 14th street road
to 10th street extended. A better natural
grade. 1t Ii claimed, could not be selected
from Mt. Pleasant to the city, and this ex-
tension is further desired in the interest of
drainage the sewer department having ad-
vocated 1t a number Of years ago.
The extension of 18th street has not been
on direct line. as the old Piney Branch
road and Central avenue were included for
the sake Of economy. The breaks, how
ever, are slight. and the proposed lines will
allow a fairly continuous highway. Its ex-
tension Is mainly desirable as a relief to
10th street extended. as the two streets will
be the only direct connections with the city
for the section between 18th street and
Rock creek.
Connecticut avenue is also shifted in it's
extension, on account of excessive cost and
because grades can be established to the
east without great damage to present grad
ed streets In Washington Heights Column
bia road will be retained and widened into
an avenue and extended to 18th street.
where IL will join with New Hampshire
avenue extended from Petworth.
Broad BOulevnrds.
A project has been worked out quite fully
for connecting Rock Creek Park by a
boulevard with Soldiers Home, which lat
ter will no doubt become a public park as
the city grows around it. This boulevard
will follow both sides of Piney branch from
the park boundary to 18th street extended
the building IipAS bpiup 900 foot oport