The San Francisco call., 1895-11-17
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
PROPOSED PRESIDE BOULEVARD.
EXCELLENT REASONS URGED FOR PROMPT ACTION
IN AN IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT.

EXCELLENT REASONS URGED FOR PROMPT ACTION
IN AN IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT.
10 the Editor of the San Francisco CGtt-S1R:
Inc Pres1dlo Heights Improvement Club has
taken up the matter of making First avenue
boulevard with the promise of good results. 1t
has been ably seconded in its efforts by the
Merchants Association, the Park Commission
ers and some of the Richmond clubs.
AT recent meeting the club discussed the
situation thoroughly and appoin ted a commit
tee TO push the measure to a successful ter
mination. There is no more important and
praiseworthy project for the improvement of
streets in any portion of the CITY than this
boulevard; for no other City in America, per-
maps, has two such admirable sites for beauti-
ful, scenic parks as the Pr residio Reservation
and Golden Gate Park, and these are only one
mile apart and connected by fine avenue,
one hundred feet wide and almost level for
the entire distance. The latter park is already
the one great attraction of the City and has
caused property in the vicinity to more than
quadruple in value in q very short time.
Twelve years ago an acre of land there could
be bought for about the price of lot to-day.
The Presidio has been greatly transformed
within the last few years, and vast amount
OF work is now in contemplation by the Gov
ernment authorities in the way of beautifying
mas substantial driveway been constructed
along the south line of the reservation from
First avenue to Twenty-fourth, and fine orna-
mental gate is being put in at the First avenue
entrance. The authorities have agreed, l
understand, to conform the grade of Mcdowell
avenue to the change of grade necessary to be
Preside.
First avenue, forming an admirable connec-
ton between the park and the Presidio, to be
utilized driveway by the greatest number
OF residents Of the Western Addition is at present
In a dsgraceful condition. Much of it IS below
grade, grade s as muddy in winter, sandy in summer, and
never ht 10 drive on. So there is other street In
Inc City in greater need of attention by the people
interested and the City authorities, than First
avenue 10 this end the Preside Heights Club is
be successful.
Since Devisadero street (Which was n good
outlet to the park. and about the only one. for the
people of the Western Addtion) has been occupied
oy an electric street railway no one can get TO the
park out that route by carriage bicycle with
degree of comfort or safety, and certainly lady
can drive TO the park without almost endangering
ner llfe therefore, the only remaining way for this
district especially for the residents of Pacific and
Preside Heights is to utilize First avenue and
convert 1t into boulevard before il is TOO late.
An effort has been made for several months past
by few citizens residing in this part OF the City,
in conjunction with the several clubs and organiza
tlons, toward thus improving this avenue, but they
have been only partially successful. The first step
taken was to secure the relin0uishment of the
street railway franchises that have been granted
on the avenue, which was accomplished on the
condition that the Board of Supervisors dedicate
".
all future frar chses from going
The Supervisors have given pledge that they
VIII do this when a change of grade has been
ordered on the two blocks from Jackson street 10
Clay in accordance with recent survey, one block
being TOO steep at present for bituminous pave
ment. The expense of this change of grade Will be
considerable and will result in some damage TO
the adjacent property, rs the street Will have TO
be filled in certain places as much as twelve feet
Ii being against the law for the supervisors to
form district of the property on Eirst avenue
ana assess 10 for this work (even with majority OF
~nTl xrl NO naTaa
sary either for these few owners OF property front
ing on this portion of the avenue where the fill is
TO be made 10 stand this expense, or Tor other
propertyowners on First avenue. Presidio Heights,
and others who may be interested 10 assist by max
ing voluntary subscriptions for this work. The
latter course favoraby enter aimed by the
Presdo Heights Club at last meeting, and the
committee appointed is at work soliciting
subscriptions Whatever is done should be done at
once for an order had been passed requiring side
where the change OF grade is contemplated When
these improvements are made, ii made as the
street now is, change in the grade viii be al
lowed, and therefore the entire avenue can never
be bituminlZed for a boulevard
If the propery-owners in this locality are alive
to the situation they will not let the opportunity
pass without getting the boulevard, for they ought
TO realize that when IL is compile ed II will be the
most attractive and magnificent driveway in the
City, and every lot on the avenue will be trebled
In value, and all the property In the vicinity
greatly enhanced and certainly that on Preside
Heights, whose streets leading into the avenue,
notably Clay and Washington, Will become main
thOroughfa
The Park Commissioners have consented to
make an entrance TO Golden Gate Park opposite
First avenue; so that from Central avenue there
will be an unobstructed driveway almost level
and mile and half in length to the park-the
shortest and best outlet for the Western Addition
which driveway would be the most important and
valuable Improvement of the kind yet made in
this City. Respectfully, ii. T. BICKEL.
Member of the Committee.