Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-06

"Yes, +" remarked Alvan r. Morrison,
president of the Delaware Construction
Co., to a reporter Of The Gazette
Wednesday afternoon, it is true that
we will put up a $40, 600 business estab-
lishment on our ground between the
Brandywine creek and Delaware river
IL we can get road from the city
proper to the Delaware river, but as
long as there is no road we cannot
build, on account of the difficulties en-
countered by teams in going from the
city TO our property.
Mr.. Morrison stated that it is the in
tention of the Delaware Construction
Go. to build marine railway and
machine shop on their property as
soon as practicable provided the road
is made. The marine railway will be
of ample size to handle large boats and
the machine shop, which will be com
plete, will occupy building 50x300
feet. The plans for the proposed struc-
ture, which were made by New York
engineer, are ready, and it is the in
tention of the company to commence
to build about the first of April, pro
sided the road is under way.
The proposed location for the plant is
at the junction of the Christiana and
Brandywine, which will undoubtedly
be splendid place for marine work.
The Construction Co. has for some
time owned six acres of land, three
sides of which were bounded by the
Brandywine and Christiana and the
p, W. g.. B. cutoff, and few days
ago the company purchased six and one
half acres more of the ground, which
makes the northern boundary Fourth
street extended.
With 121a acres of land in such an
admirable location, the company will.
in all probability, build up large
business, of which the original plant,
which is now contemplated. will he
but the nucleus. 1t is not the inten-
tion to build ships at present, but
there is probability that the boat
building. industry will develop from
the repair plant,
Mr.. Morrison also informed the re-
porter that member of local boat
building firm told MIN Wednesday that
his company will locate on the terri.
tory between the Brandywine and Della.
ware if road to the river is CON
structed, and it is probable that the
plant will be enlarged, with the idea of
uOInB more business.
A glass manufacturer now doing
business in New Jersey, who has been
offered i've acres gratis, recently stated
that it was his intention to remove to
Wilmington if he knew road from
the river to the business portion of the
city would be made. There have also
been a number of other inquiries for
locations.
Mr.. Morrison explained to the re-
porter that the project would not cost
the city one cent. All is necessary,
he stated, is for the Street and Sewer
Directors to sanction the road, and, in
addition to assisting in securing the
right of way through a tract 200 feet
wide, issue an order that the ashes
collected about the city be deposited
there. "All we want" he said, sis
a road with foot of ashes on top"
The city now owns road Fourth
street extendedl which is graded from
the Brandywine to the Delaware. The
portion which remains 10 be looked
after lies between the P.,W. & 3. rail.
road tracks, above the jackson a. Sharp
works, to Seventh street bridge, dis
tance of about 1000 feet. As stated
above, all that the city must vet acquire
is that portion through the Cleland
property, distance of 200 feet An Of
the remainder, passing through the
properties of the National Dredging
Co.. Frank Stidham and Thomas No
Corkle, has been decided TO the CITY.
enough in each tract to make a 7O.foot
roadway. Now that the Delaware Con
struction Co. has offered TO pay for 4
commission to assess damages and also
the award, the Directors OF the Street
and Sewer Department are asked 10
apply for the commission and after its
work is done to have an ash road made.
The proposition Of the Construction
20, will probably be considered az the
next meeting of the Street and Sewer
Directors, upon whom will be urged
the Importance of taking action at once,
Mr. Morrison, in his conversation
with the reporter, expressed himself as
being positive that great benefit will
accrue to the city in tile event Of the
road being built, as he felt assured A
great deal of the now idle territory
would be occupied if tho business part
OF the city was accessible from that
section.