The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
FROM PARK TO PRESIDE.
Movement to Make First Ave-
nue. a Boulevard Be-
tween Them.
Other improvements Considered
by the Merchants Asso-
citation.

AT the monthly meeting of the board OF
directors of the Merchants Association,
last night, communication was read
from the Mechanics Institute asking the
cooperation of the association, in connec-
ton with other mercantile and industrial
bodies, to make the coming fair the great
est ever held in the city, particularly with
the view of showing up the manufactures
of the State. A committee to take this
matter up was appointed as follows: A. S.
Baldwin, NJ. S. Kohlberg and Hugo Keil.
Henry Michaels Of the Langley &
Michaels Company addressed letter to
the association stating that it was next to
impossible to bring about noiseless traffic
as hauling was now conducted here, as the
trucks carry heavier loads than anywhere
else in the country. He asked that the as
ISOLATION exert itself to secure the passage
of an ordinance compelling the use of wider
tires to correspond with the weight car
ried by vehicles. He also suggested that
the seaWall be completed as soon as pos
sible, so that the railroad company can ex-
tend its tracks northward, and thus make
a shorter haul and enable draymen to use
light trucks and drays. The whole matter
was reported to the consulting engineer of
the association, with instructions to ascer-
tain what ordinances exist that bear on
the subject and what remedies can be APP
piled, particularly with reference to Gold
en- Gate avenue. 1t is proposed to secure
this thoroughfare for the exclusive use of
those who drive and ride for pleasure, and
to prohibit the heavier vehicles from pass
ing over it.
A letter from George r. Sanderson, presi-
dent of the Preside Heights improvement
Club, pointed out the Importance and de-
STABILITY of preserving First avenue as a
boulevard to connect the Presidio with
Golden Gate Park. 1t read in part:
The late W. W. Stow promised me that if I
would have the street properly opened and
graded the Park Commission would open an
entrance opposite it on D street and extend a
driveway from the entrance TO the north drive.
In order to obtain an order from the Board of
Supervisors for change OF grade the law re-
quires petition signed by majority of prop
erty-owners who would be affected by the
change. Think that have that majority ready
to partition, but they are not agreed as to how
the expense should be met.
To the Presidio Heights and Richmond the
putting in order and making OF a boulevard of
this avenue means great deal IL is not,
however, matter of Importance TO these sec
tions alone, for every owner of a carriage,
every one who even enjoys an occasional drive
to the park is interested in it. There is no
other street leading to the park until one gets
to Ninth avenue upon which car line does
not run.
First avenue, with its width of 100 feet, join
ing the Preside grounds and the park, APP
preached by Washington and Clay streets,
upon which there are no tracks from Scott
street west should certainly be set aside as a
boulevard and made at once what it should
be-a carriage-way to the park. Unless some
action is taken al once, franchises for streetcar
lines may be granted, which will preclude its
use for such purpose.
The letter met with the approval of the
association, and committee consisting of
N. P. Cole, A. s. Baldwin and Vanderlyn
Stow was appointed to take snch action as
would accomplish the desired results. This
committee will call on Mayor Sutro Satur-
day to see what can be done to withdraw
all claims for street railway franchises
along that avenue. Consultations have
already been had with Superintendent of
Streets Ashworth, who favors the move
ment greatly, and the consulting engineer
has been instructed to ascertain if there is
any sewer ordinance before the Board of
Supervisors that will interfere with the
grading of First avenue as boulevard. If
First avenue is not to be graded for sewer
purposes the cost of putting it into condi-
ton to be used as a boulevard would be
only between $4,000 and $4,000, while if it is
necessary to bring it to the standard grade
the cost will be much greater.