Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-03
ELEVENTH STREET
Report on the Bill for It's Extension
Submitted.
DISTRICT 70 BEAR ENTIRE COST
The Necessity Of the Work Set
Forth at Length.
LAND TO BE CONDEMNED

The report on the bill for the extension
of 11th street northwest blouse bill 1o,47p,
which was submitted to the House today,
says:
THE committee consider that the entire
cost of the extension of this street should
be borne by the District of Columbia, and
the bill provides that the expense shall be
paid out of the revenues of the District
The existence of the highway act has dur
ing the last five years effectuaiIy blocked
the way to the extension of any particular
street, however desirable such extension
wars thought to be.
THE House of Representatives voted to
repeal this act on May ., 1898, and the time
row seems opportune to make an effort to
extend to the north, beyond the present
city limits some of the main thoroughfares
which are plainly necessary and which are
demanded for the use and convenience of
the residents of the District
Need of Extension.
For the extension of 18th, as now pro-
posed, there is a special need and this ac-
ton is urged by the residents of that sec
ton of the District. Your committee incor-
porates as part of its report a commune
cation from the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia favoring the passage of
TINS Dill; also a communication from the
Association
THE object of the bill is to extend 11th
street northwest from Florida avenue, its
present terminus, to Lydecier avenue and
here it will be directly opposite to and con-
meet with Eslin avenue, an existing ave-
nue.. Inc proposed extension will be 1900
1eet, or nearly three-quarters of a mile.
The width of the proposed street is 10 ba
w 1eet and the approximate area necessary
to be taken for the opening of the street
VIII De about 3io6So square feet as COM
putea by the Engineer Commissioner
Esan avenue, with which avenue 18th
street VIII connect when opened is fffv
feet wide, with ten-foot parking reser-
Vatlon on either side, and extends north
Mardiy a distance of 1.Gso feet to Spring
road, an important suburban road running
east ard west long distance.
The Necessity Explained.
"The necessity for the openinr of nth
street as provided in the bill is as follows.
mat section of the District which lies north
OF Florida avenue and between It'll and
l4th streets (Which streets are about $500
feet, or more than half mile apart con-
talns large population, and is improved
by numerous residences and rows of sub
stahtlal houses, but it has practically no
communication with the city except by Nay
or litn street, 1th street or Sherman ave-
hue.
The grade of 18th street Immediately
nortn o. Florida avenue is SO heavy as TO
Il O.
toally useless. 18th street does not extend
north of Florida avenue. Sherman avenue
IS distant from 18th street only about $50
rect and is so narrow that it is entirely
inadequate for thoroughfare for this
large section of the District
Eleventh street, extended as proposed
Will go through the center of the terri
tory referred to, will he about equally dis
tant from 18th and 18th streets, and there
Will thus be provided a direct highway TO
a very large and populous ,neighborhood
Eleventh street win have moderate grade
on the average OF about ) per cent, making
1t capable OF being well easily drained.
Cost of Land to BE Condemned.
The cost of the land necessary to be con-
demned to open this street has been figured
by the Commissioners at an estimated
price of 20 cents per square foot, or $685.
4I6; estimated cost of improvements $50
GO; total, $3G9,476. The estimated cost does
not allow for court expenses, nor is any
deduction made on account of the assess
ment of possible benefits.
Inc price OF 20 cents per square foot
was arrived ct by the Commissioners from
u knowledge of prices obtained al recent
sales made on 18th street and on Sherman
avenue, an average being taken OF the Two
to get an idea OF the price in the center
ina average thus arrived at is slightly
lower than prices asked for the land in the
line Of 11th street extended, but it is be-
lieVed to be reasonable. The estimated cost
VI tiiS Is DdSeQ on the state
ment of real estate agent having knoyi-
edge of the property.
VIII Appreciate in Value
THE land to be condemned is likely to
appreciate in value, and probably can not
hereafter be acquired except at greatly in
creased cost. Fog this reason, and also for
the reason that the land through which the
street as extended will pass is now uniln-
proved and will not involve or require the
ondemnation OF any house houses, x is
important that the extension be made at
once. The committee informed that in
respect to some of the required ground ti.s
right of way will be donated.
In respect TO the proceedings for con-
demnation, the bill provides that they shall
be pursuant TO those provisions of the Re
viscd Statutes of the United States relating
to the District of Columbia which provide
for the condemnation of highways, roads
and bridges, and provide that the jury in
making their decision shall take into con-
sidcratlon the resulting benefits"