The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
ANXIOUS FOR The ROAD.
The Contra Costa Project Taken
Up by the Lafayette
Farmers.
It Will Soon Be Impossible to Procure e
Rights of Way Except by
Condemnation.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL J

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
9OS Broadway, April 2. I
The farmers of Alameda and Contra Costa
counties are anxious for some relief from
the present difficulties of communication
between the two counties, owing to the a b.
sence of a wagon road across the Berk eley
hills.
Twenty years ago the road could have
been built for quarter of what it will
cost now, and twenty years hence it will
be almost impossible 20 obtain the neces-
sary right OF way. At an enthusiastic
meeting held at Lafayette, the matter OF
the road was taken up and the movement
was started afresh. The demand for the
road and the necessity for its being built
as soon as possible are clearly set forth in
a statement just compiled by landowner
across the border.
Five or six years ago." he says, "there
were but d few farmhouses and dairies in
Hayes Valley. Now the hillsides as we'll
as the valleys are bedecked with beautiful
homes and miniature parks. Land within
three-quarters of mile from the Contra
Costa line in the valley is worth $500 to
$1,000 per acre; that adjoining the county
line from 500 to 5000 per acre, while on
our side it is valued at from $40 to $50 per
acre. Therefore a standard road should be
built within four or five years tap
ping this county centrally, as tn is
sunny belt on the Alameda side.
from the State University extending 2
west along the foothills to Fruityale, ten
or twelve years hence will be one of the
richest residence sections IN the State !;
consequently the urgency to build the road
Immediately becomes apparent, for in the
future to procure the right of way on the
Alameda side will require time, money,
and, worst of all. litigation, that would
mean half century, perhaps never, and
this section the sufferer. Another SEEM
ing absurditv with the majority of land
owners is their objections to an additional
tax.
LET US make comparison of figures,
for the sake OF argument. To build a
standard read and macadamize it six
inches deep with rock will require about
$4,000, draining one of the most fertile
sections in the State, and within three
hours drive of the richest market on the
Pacific Coast, embracing an area of
about $4,000 acres, with valuation say
of $3,000,00O, by levying a half per
cent tax would raise more than the
necessary amount to build this road. If
this is too much to do at one time, it
could be done by bonds. Now the OBJ
lection of the average farmer is the enor-
nous portion he would have to paw at
farm, valued at say $1,000, one half per cent
equals $50, the enormous sum toward the
building of substantial road Now what
does it cost him annually to market his
produce with the present roads. If he
does not he is compelled to patronize the
railroad or the commission shark"
AS an example of the possible increase
of values in foothill property, it is re-
marked that seventeen years ago piece
of property at the junction of Fifteenth
street and Telegraph avenue was offered
for $140o. Four years ago it was sold to the
promoters of the Central Bank (two-thirds
of it, for $4,000. The remaining third
sold for $71 600. Land has wonderfully in
creased In the foothills on the Alameda
side in the past four or five years. From
$500 and $400 per acre to $4,000 and $4,000 per
acre since the advent of the electric cars
and macadamized roads, and the property
along the line of the proposed road is
equally valuable.
The Supervisors of the two counties have
tried to agree several times upon route
and the consequent expense, but nothing
definite has been done, and it is possible
that the new movement may be successful.