Evening star., 1897-05-15
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Raising the Money to Pay for Street
Extension.
PROPOSED ROCK CREEK DRIVE
Expansion of the Business Section
Of the City,
SOME NEW UILDINGS

pren,e Court which was announced on
Monday, asserting the constitutionality of
what is known as the street extension act,
was naturally the subject of a good deal of
discussion in real estate circles during the
past week. AS was developed before and
since the passage of the act in question,
there as good deal of opposition on the
part of a number CT property holders to
the terms under which their property was
to be taken for highways. Now however,
the court of the highest jurisdiction has
spoken it is generally recognized that moth
ing remains but the enforcement of the
act.
While the system of highways proposed
covers the entire suburban region, it is not
expected that the condemnation proceed
irgs will be applied to the whole area at
once. The rapidity with which this is
done, however. will depend largely at the
start upon the method adopted for procur-
ing the money needed to secure the land
for public purposes. Thus far two methods
have been suggested. One is the annual
appropriation by Congress of a certain
is the issue of bonds. 1t has been esti-
mated that the entire expense to the pub
lie In securing the land for the proposed
highways is about $6.0O0,OOO, and it is
claimed by those who favor the issue of
bonds that not only could the work be done
more expeditiously, but it will cost less in
the end If terms are at once made with
the property oWrers. 1t is likely that the
Commissioners will make some recommen-
dations to Congress on this subject, and 1t
is thought that at the next session of that
body action will be taken which will result
in supplying the funds needed in carrying
out the law.
Rock Creek Driveway.
| Some years ago the tract of land now
| known as Woodley Park became the prop
n Mr. pporo 4 lot
| park. Now, it is understood, Mr.. Wagga-
n an is considering plan for subGivding
| this property into city lots especially that
portion which lies between Connecticut ave-
! rue extended and the Geological Park. In
view of this contemplated change, an ef-
| fort has been made to secure the right Of
| way for a road which would extend along
| the border Of the Geological Park as far
as the Woodley road bridge. and then con-
! tinue along Rock creek, perhaps as far as
i P street.
| The site which has been selected for the
| Episcopal Cathedral adjoins this property
| on the northern extremity. and far as
| the cathedral trustees have completed their
| plans for the laying out of these grounds
| provision has been made for the opening
| of a road. to be known Cathedral ave-
| nue.. which will extend through the grounds
| Of the cathedral to the proposed subdi-
vision of Woodley Park. thence to the
! western line Of the Zoo. and the proposed
| road would be continuation of this ave-
| nue.. In order to carry out this plan the
| projectors found that it would be of ad-
| vantage to include in the roadway a small
portion of the ground belonging to the
| Zoo. Attention of Prof Langley has been
| called to this plan, but thus far no definite
| conclusion has been reached.
| Activity in Building.
| The manager Of one of the large brick
manufacturing plants in this city said the
other day that his company had up to
this time sold more bricks than during
| the whole of last season. This statement
| gives some idea of the activity in building
! operations during the present year COM
| pared with last year. There is consider
able complaint on the part Of architects and
| builders, and of real estate dealers, that
| a good many enterprises are proposed
| which are not carried out. This is attrib-
| uted in part to the idea which is entertain
ed by some who have money to invest that
| prices Of land, as well as the cost of
building, are very low, but when they come
| to get actual figures they discover that
| neither land can be bought or buildings
| erected as cheaply they had expected.
| AS result, they abandon altogether or de-
lay carrying out enterprises which they had
| in contemplation 1t can hardly be ex-
| pected that current prices will meet the
| ideas of every one. but at the same time
| 1t may be said that building can be done
much cheaper now than has been the case
| for some time past. 1t is also said that
| cash purchasers may find some bargains in
| houses and lots, but the owners of both
lots and building materials are not in such
straits as to be obliged to give either away.
| The Business Section.
| The movement which has been started to
erect a new building for use Masonic
| Temple in this city has called the atten-
| tion of those interested in property to the
| probable effect on the future of the build
ing now occupied by a large number of
| the Masonic hodges. AS is well known, this
| building is at the northwest corner Of 9TH
| and f streets, and while the ground floor
| Is rented out for business purposes, and
there is hall available for public uses on
the second floor, the rest Of the building is
used for Masonic lodges. The property be-
| longs to stock company.
Owing to the important position which
this building occupies In the business sec
ton Of the city the interest in the probable
effect of its abandonment by the Masonic
fratei nifty has general Importance. AS
an evidence Of the substantial character
of the business interests of tho city it is
stated, by those who are in a condition to
be good judges, that this building would
be available for office purposes or for some
other object which would be in line with
the character OF that locality.
Some years ago when tine Washington
Loan and Trust building was about to be
erected there was good deal of talk about
holdirg that 9th and F was such center.
Since then there have been other locali-
ties along that street which have devel-
oped into points of large business enter
prises. and at the same time the locality
! of 9th and has not been effected. but
rather the volume of daily travel and busi-
ness, 1t Is estimated. has increased.
i The term business center as applied to
any enc locality in the city is looked upon
| in the light OF these facts somewhat
of a misnomer. Instead Of business activ-
| ity being confined to small locality the
tendency of late years has been to widen
out the area. SO that 1t is thought to be
more appropriate to use the term business
section. and in this city, as Is well known,
II has increased of late years In size and
tho boundaries are being constantly pushed
forward.
Boston House Changes.
Important alterations are to be made
during the coming summer in the interior
of Woodward & Lothrop's large es.
Establishment at the corner Of 11th and
3 streets. Plans have been prepared
by James G. Hill. architect, and pro,
vide for tho removal of the wall which
row separates the addition ON 1ltn stree,
from the main building. In the rear O
the 10th street addition the shylight, whfcl