Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25
Great Enterprises Involving the E1-
penditure of Large Sums.
PRESENT AND PERMANENT BENEFITS
The Influence on Building Of Lower
Prices for Materials.
SOME IMP VEMENTS

action taken at the meeting of the trustees
of the American University held here dur
ing the past week was of great Importance
to the interests of this city. 1t was an
nounced that the money needed for the
erection of the first building in that great
enterprise had been secured and steps were
taken which will probably lead to the
commencement of building operations dur
ing the present year. The hall of history,
which will be the initial building, will cost
sl50c0o, and. as is well known, the entire
plan contemplates the erection of some
twenty buildings.
The ground, comprising about one hun
dred acres on the Loughboro' road, and on
the line of Massachusetts, avenue extend
ed. has been paid for and the contemplated
improvements, which Will involve the eX-
penditure of large sum of money, will
not only be marked feature in the at
Effectiveness of the city, but will add to the
material resources of Washington during
the progress of building operations, and be
source of much benefit in many other
ways.
There is no lack of interest or enthusiasm
in this project on the part of citizens of
Washington as evidenced by their liberal
contributions in the purchase of the site
and the active share which is taken by
many in furtheriEg its interests. In any
other city one enterprise of this character
would be looked upon marking a mern-
orable phase in the city's life. Such is the
marvellous development of this city that
there is another enterprise of magnitude
and somewhat similar in purpose, which is
gradually taking shape, and which will re-
suit in the expenditure of millions of dol
lars.
The Episcopal Cathedral.
This latter, it is needless to add, is the
proposed Protestant Episcopal cathedral.
AS is well known. at the recent meeting
III this city of the trustees of the cathedral
it was decided to have plans prepared at
once for a building to be known as the
Hearst School for Girls, which will cost
$4,000. 1t was further decided that the
work of construction should be begun in
August. The proposed building is only one
of series of structures which IL is de-
signed to erect on the commanding site
which has been secured at the intersection
of Woodley road and Connecticut avenue
extended.
cathedral is to be erected, and about 1t
are to be grouped the buildings and resi-
dences which are the features of ca
thedral foundation. Entirely independent
of the large outlay of money, both of these
enterprises will be of permanent advan-
tage to the city and will be prominent fac
tors in the influences which have already
made this city center of literary activ-
ity.
A business Site Sold.
A sale of some interest was made during
the last week. The property at the south
west corner of Connecticut avenue and I.
street was sold to Charles Rauscher. 1t
has a frontage of about thirty-eight feet
on Connecticut avenue and depth Of
about sxty-seven feet, and contains 2,650
square feet. The price was nearly IS per
square foot. 1t is the intention Of the new
owner to erect a building on the site suit
able for his business
Enlnrging n School Building.
During the next month quite large ad-
dition will be made to the building at the
corner of 18th and NJ streets by the owner.
Mrs. Elizabeth j. Somers. The space be-
tween the 18th street and NJ street wings.
which has a frontage of about twenty-five
feet will be occupied by a building which
will be made part of the adjoining build
ingS, and will contain a dining room, mu-
sic room and dormitories. In addition.
building will be erected in the rear, where
the heating plant will be located. This
property, which is the home of the Mount
Vernon Seminary, has frontage of 100
feet on both streets. Mr.. Robert l. Flem-
ing has prepared the plans fro the pro-
posed improvements, and will be in charge
of the work.
Building Material Cheaper.
It is estimated by those who are in a po-
sition to know that owing to the reduction
in prices of material buildings can be
erected for at least Is per cent less than
what would have been the cost at this
time last year. This fact has caused many
who have had plans for building under
consideration to decide to begin active
same influence will be continued to be felt
during the entire season. This reduction is
looked upon as quite material one, and
the saving is appreciable even in the cost
of a small building.
The lad weather has given check to
building operations, which, 1T is believed.
however, will be only temporary. While it
is not anticipated that the building record
is going to reach the proportions of some
of the banner years in the past, still it is
expected that the summing up at the close
amount of money has been expended in
adding to the residence and business facili-
ties of the city.
The building Record.
The building record for the week ending
yesterday shows a decided Improvement
over the previous week, and is the best
recorded for sometime. Two dozen per-
mits were issued. aggregating in cost &c.
195. OF this number eight were taken out
for the northwest, at a cost of S3l,5UO; the
southwest, ore, at $500; the northeast. ten.
at 10000; the southeast, four, at S12,495,
and the county, one, at $1,000.
Some improvements.
Ground has been broken for a row Of
store buildings to be erected at the south
west corner of Connecticut avenue and NJ
street. They are to be only one story in
height, but the walls are TO be OF sufficient
SIZE to bear the weight of additional stories
in case 1t should be considered necessary
at any time in the future. The owner is
Mrs. Griswold.
A residence is to be erected at 1SOG New
Hampshire avenue from plans prepared by
n T. Halter, architect. 1t is to be 40XI5
feet, with front of brown stone and buff
brick.
J. T. Lovcless Will erect a residence on
Ihtl cfr hafy u
Carolina avenue southeast from plans pre-
pared by w. Hunter Jones. architect. 1t
Will be. 2ox15 feet, with a front of light
stone and buff brick.
Ground has been broken for the erection
of two brick and stone dwellings at ~ and
81 d street southeast. These houses were
planned by n. I. Halter, and are being
built by their owner J. A. Wynkoop. They
are to be three stories high, with cellar,