The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-17
A NEW PLAN SUGGESTED.
How Charles and Mill Streets Could
Now Be Widened.
More Than $fOO,OOO Would he Saved
If the Commissioners Plan Were
Adopted.

The taxpayers OF the North End and the
local business men who have been using
their influence TO obtain the widening of
Charles and Mill streets will be interested
in the new plan that has been suggested by
Commissioner Robert L. Smith OF the
board of public works. While it has
been stated that Mr.. smith was opposed
TO the project, this Is far from true.
he realizes that the improvement
would be of the greatest advantage
TO the North End of the city as well as to
the local business men, but he believes that
the city would pey for its share of the
work II 1t was done under the betterment
act,
According to the agreement that was
made at that time, the city was to bear
the expense OF building the street, about
$4,000, one half the cost of the land
nearly $4,000, and the entire cost OF tho
commission and all appeals, making a
total expense OF some 100000 to the city
Under the ordinary rule for work under
this act, the city agrees TO bear but one
quarter of the cost of land.
This is the arrangement that is made for
the widening of Washington street
and nearly every other improve
ment OF this kind that has been made
during the past few years had been under
the same arrangement. The city recog-
nized that the widening OF Charles
and Mill streets would be
OF more than ordinary advantage
and 1t was for this reason that il was de-
cided to bear one halt the expense. There
was but one city of anyeize ia the United
States, Nashville, Tenn, that would prac-
ticaiiy build two new streets at such
slight expense to the taxpayers and he
considered that the arrangement was very
fair for all concerned. '"+~
When THE NEWS reporter talked with
Mr.. Smith this morning. he was willing
to explain his new plan by which the
work could be done at much less ex-
pense.
Instead OF running the improvement
from Canal street, Mr.. Smith would have
the work commenced at North Main
street. He would pass up Mill street on
the west side, throwing out a number OF
small buildings up tc the large block which
is occupied by the office OF the Fletcher
Manufacturing Company. The buildings
on the west side of Charles street could
then be moved back 20 feet, max
ing 60-ioot street. At Orms
street the street would be crossed
and the buildings on the East side, as far
as Stevens street, could be moved back 20
feet each. There are two Old buildings
on Charles street near the corner of
Stevens and these would be the only
structures that would have 10 be sacri-
feed.
III this new plan was adopted the city
would save about s60, 900 in the expense OF
building the river wall and as it would
also save the cost of the dyewood mill pro-
perty for which s55,OOO was Offered, the
total saving for these two items alone
would be about s1l5,0O0
Considering the fact that there will
soon be another excellent outlet to the
city the plan has been regarded with ia
vor by many of the city officials. When
the improvements of the new terminal
facilities act are completed the teams
can pass from Randall square through
Back street and down Gaspee To Francis
street and the easy grade that will be estab-
lished will make these highways extremely
convenient. Notwithstanding this fact,
however, there is no question but that
Charles and Mill streets ought to be
widened, but the officials who realize the
advantages that will be offered under the
new act feel that the work ought to he
done at the smallest possible expense to
the city.
One advantage OF the new plan is ap-
parent to all who have examined
it. The manufacturing property at the
North End will be practically unmolested
Y the Improvement, and while the vari-
Gus householders will suffer the disad-
vantage of losing their yards, this will
not affect the business interests OF this
section.
The new plan will probably be sug-
gested at the next meeting OF the Board
of Aldermen and it would not be sur
prising il IL received the most favorable
commentator from those who are par
ticularly interested in the work.