Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-23
The Outlook for the Building Season
a Promising One.
-FOUR LARGE APARTMENT HOUSES
Sewer and Water Systems for Sub
urban Towns.
SOME IMPRO EMEN S

Oue Vi activity SUCH as mas uOJ
been seen here for several years past.
Some time ago The Star printed an esti-
mate which showed that the number of
buildlr gs which would be put up in the
fiscal year ending June 80 next would be
very considerably greater than the number
for the preceding year. This was based on
a comparison of the number of building
permits issued up to January 1 with the
number of the entire twelve months before,
leaving out of consideration the last six
months of the present fiscal year, which,
it was but fair to assume, would far out
strip the first half year.
That this estimate was under rather than
over the true condition of affairs is now
beginning to be evident as the winter is
passing away and the time for the begin
ming of the building season is az hand.
From all sides comes talk of buildings
which are either soon to be begun or for
which plans are being prepared. One no.
ticeable feature is the fact that these
buildings are of the better class, and that
there seems to be a failing off in the cree
tion as a speculation merely, of rows of
small houses, which are to be rented or
sold, as the opportunity presents. Houses
of the handSomer and more expensive sort
are contemplated, and there Is good rea-
son for thinking that number of resi-
denceS will be put up during the coming
summer which will be a credit to the city.
Proposed Apartment Houses.
Another matter has come before the
building inspector which is certain to in
terest the building world and the people
of Washington generally. Within the past
few weeks the plans for four large apart
ment houses have been presented to the
inspector for his approval Working plans
have been made and Mr.. Brady was as
sured by the architects that the buildings
We're to be put up this summer beyond a
doubt, as the different people who are back
of these enterprises have expressed them
selves as satisfied with the plans and the
situation generally.
Arrangements have not yet reached a
point where the names of the builders and
the proposed locations can be made public
but it can be stated that while the build
ings will be large, they will not be of the
sky-scraping order. They viii be seven and
eight stories in height. and 1t is said that
they will be of the very best description in
every respect. 1t is not known who are
putting up the money for these improve
ments, but the very fact that buildings of
this sort are to be erected shows tharthere
are plenty of people who believe that prop
erty in this city, when properly situated
and improved so as to meet the needs of
the community. yields a good return.
Looking for Building Sites.
The last District appropriation bill car
ried provision for the erection of truck
house for the fire department, to be put
up in the neighborhood of New Jersey ave-
nue. and NJ street, and for new house for
engine company No. 2, which is now To-
Gated on government property on d street
between 18th and 18th. The Commission
ers have under Amusement several sites
for the truck house, any of which would
be satisfactory, and as soon as they have
fixed upon one the building inspector will
get to work without delay in putting up
the new building.
A good deal more difficulty, however is
being found in the matter of getting a
site for the engine house, which must be
situated between and L streets and 9th
and 18th The appropriation for site and
building both was but S25,DO0. and of this
it would take at least half for the building
alone. The lot must not contain less than
5000 feet. Only two bids were received in
answer TO the Commissioners advertise
menr calling for proposals for sites. Evil
IDENTIFY the bidders thought the District
was rich enough to pay a steep price, for
both bids were in the neighborhood of IS
square foot. This would leave only $500
for the building itself, a rather awkward
condition of affairs. Unless the Commits
sioners can get site for 81 or $f25 foot
it would seem as though the whole matter
would have to be deferred until the next
session of Congress. The present build
ing is altogether too small for an engine
house, and otherwise not well adapted for
the purpose to which it has been put, and
a 1urther delay IN securing q new structure
is extremely undesirable.
Water and Sewer Systems.
The discussion which is going OH among
the residents of the suburban town of Ken
sington in regard to supplying that place
with a sewer system is of interest to the
people of this city outside entirely of any
consideration from the standpoint of pub
lie health, which the proposition to empty
%IA {rA~ oDly
wolves. AS this suburban community, as
well as the many others which now thick
ly dot the country contiguous to the ma
tion's capital, is closely connected with this
city, 1t goes without saying that anything
which promotes their advantages as places
of residence is in line with urban mater
ial prosperity. AS rule the residents of
these places are engaged in business here
and draw their supplies mainly from this
city. The relation between the city and the
outlying settlement is therefore close and
intimate one.
The question of sewers for Kensington is
not merely a local one, nor Is 1t, indeed, one
that Kensington alone is called upon to
solve. The growth of these suburban places
has been SO rapid that the need for pro-
wiling the usual municipal facilities COM
mon in all centers of population is de-
manding more or less attention. AS long as
the population is sparsely located, each
household can be conducted independent
ly of it's neighbor, but after awhile, when
the houses get closer together, then there
are certain common interests, as well as
common dangers, which are recognized.
The well that furnished a sufficient sup
ply of water for one family and would
continue to do SO, perhaps for years. is
liable to be rendered useless by contamina-
ton which comes from adjoining property.
At this point is experienced first of all one
of the Inconvenience, as well as perils, of
a neighborhood that is beginning to draw
to it any considerable number of residents.
People who have been accustomed to live
in the city generally provide some form of
sewage disposal when they build houses
in the country, and for the individual fam
lily that is usually accomplished by surface
drainage or by the building of cesspools.
Then the purity of the water supply is
threatened.
Water Supply the First Need.
The solution of the problem, as shown in
the recent case of the Kensington people.
is generally believed to be in a general
sewer system. As every one knows, the
installation of such a system involves a
heavy expense, especially for small COM
munity. Those who have given the matter
considerable thought however. are of the
opinion that the construction of sewers Is
not the best and most economical solution
of the problem. AS is conceded the dan
ger which threatens a community Of this