The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-07

y Total $500. $500. $:..,2OO r
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| Among the various business activities OF
/ Seattle that most impress the average
| visitor is the work Of construction in all
| its various lines. Taken IN its totally,
| this work is little short of stupendous
The water front from South Seattle to
Ballard Is Iairly lined with all manner OF
nescent craft, getting ready for the Yu-
kon. and with every conceivable kind Of
dock and wharf extension. The recon-
struction of the streets throughout the
main business part Of the city has already
been written up fully in the Post-Inteli-
gencer- No contrast can possibly afford
more convincing proof of the city's devel-
opment during the last two years than
the old and the new condition OF the
streets in the district bounded by Pike
street, Yesler way, Fourth avenue and
the water front
But an eminent writer on municipalities
has said that city is made up Of its
homes, and it is to these that the thought
full sojourner in Seattle looks with the
deepest interest. As he looks through the
various districts OF the city, or takes a
run along the several car tines, he cannot
fail to be impressed with the number of
new homes now springing into existence.
Even the permanent resident in Seattle
may be surprised to learn that the build
ings undertaken in this city since the year
1888 set in foot up in value more than a
quarter OF a million dollars. This is all
the more remarkable, because when Seat
built in generous proportions, many of the
houses erected. hotels. office buildings.
/ etc, being planned for a city more than
twice its size.
This amount Of building means not mere
ly a permanent addition to the homes and
business buildings of the city 1t means
the expenditure OF that amount of money
right here in Seattle among workingmen
and dealers in native PRODUCTS. Every
bit OF the material for all these new struc-
lures Comes right from the city's own
doors. Every stroke or work done on
or hammer. is struck by the hand Of a
Seattle laborer or mechanic. This means
more employment for labor. and at better
pay than could be bad when times were
dull. Even the plans are drawn by Seat
tie architects and the contracts are UNDER
taken by Seattle firms
In addition to the building that has re-
Gently been done and is now going on
within the city limits. must be taken into
consideration that which is done in neigh
boring localities. virtually tributary 10 this
city. Much Of the railway construction
on lines running into this city is done with
Seattle as basis and laborers are almost
daily sent out from this city on these
roads. All labor on the big government,
contracts at the Puget sound naval sta
ticn Is contracted for ana supplied from
Seattle. as IS OF course that for clearing
and grading the site for the military post
at Magnolia hiuff. The big Snoquaimie
Falls Power Company is getting all its
labor and supplies from this city.
The truth IS that. while the war excite.
ment Is raging and while thousands are
getting ready for the summer rush to the
an industrial and building development,
which many CT its own citizens have been
actually TOO busy TO notice.
During the first four months of the pres
ent year there has been expended for build
,ngs in Seattle more than a quarter Of
million dollars. The totals shown by the
Official records are as follows: For Janu-
airy. $3.50: February. slls.7so: March. $780,
eS: April, 81, o;0: May. up 10 yesterday.
81. 2ia: total 10 date, s272,a01.
There is NOT so much variation among
the several months as might appear from
the face OF the figures. The total, for
February was made larger by one or two
unusually large permits. Otherwise there
Is a general uniformity when speaks well
for the general property and business In
terests Of the city. A marked feature
OF the records is the great number OF
minor improvements. such as small build
ings. alterations. moves and repairs, which
show that The revival OF business is gem
eral. extending TO all parts CT the city and
10 ali classes OF its population.
The record Of building permits for the
month of April shows the following totals:
Moves and repairs ...-.......... g s,0T0
one and ons-han story 500
Two-Story ..-.+-... .-....-....-.. .&lg
Three-story ..-.-.... -..........- 1 4@s
Among the building Improvements now
IN progress or just completed are the fol-
lowing:
Deuuy-Rlalne Land Company. dock and
warehouse. ss.efs.
Halter estate. building al Ills Second
avenue. S.eAl.
Pacific Coast Company. improvements
and extension Of DOCK and warehouse.
So osa
Seattle lee Company, improvements ard
ltension OF plant on water front block
-. tide lands si2.te9.
j. w Putnam has recently completed n
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