Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-05
Most important Thoroughfare
in Atlantic City Ward.
ONE CONTINUOUS MUDHOLE
Possibly tho Worst Highway. Ever
seen In City tho Sizc of Norfolk-
Cut Up Worse Than Country
Rond-wtlI he Paved and Greatly
Bcnutincd - Much Interest NnnI.
tested ia tho Mnftcr.
tested ia tho sInfior.

to be paved.
While the details have not been ar
ranged, it was learned yesterday on ex-
cellent authority. that n petition from
the property owners along this promi-
nent thoroughfare would be submitted
to the Local Board of Atlantic City
Ward to properly pave the street. and
from personal interviews with three or
four OF the board by the representative
Of the VirginanP Pilot 1t was learned
that they are all in favor of comply
ing with the request. The members of
the board are as anxious to have this
street paved as are the property
owners. and Mayor Johnston says he
will also give his assistance in push
Ing the matter through in accordance
with the petition of the property
owners.
TERRIBLE THOROUGHFARE.
Front street is possibly one of the
worst thoroughfarcs ever seen in city
| the size of Norfolk. From Collcy ave-
nue. to the bridge 1t is simply one CON
tlnuouS mudhole. and the street car
tracks can hardly be seen or. account OF
mud and water from one end of 1t to
the other. y part of this street Is of
made Garth and ii has sunk several
| inches. or course this leaves a gullcy
| which fills with water and the con-
| tinuous driving Of vehicles makes
| horrible swamp. Part of the street has
recently been dug UP and sewer pipes
| laid. and this also adds to the dis
agreeable conditions that exist.
VERY HEAVY TRAVEL.
Since the vast amount of improve
| mentS that have been made on Front
street. erecting warehouses, factories
Offices and other buildings. there has
necessarily been Il great deal Of haul
| ing on this thoroughfare. And the fact
| that the street leads to the bridge across
| the creek also adds to the amount Of
| travel. making it. without doubt, the
| most important highway in that sec
| ton of Norfolk
y gentleman who lives on the street
| and Is close observer, said yesterday
that since the erection of the new ware
houses and other buildings that the
travel had increased at least 30 per
| cent.
ENHANCED IN VALUE.
| Since the big business improvements
that during the last two years have
been made in Atlantic City Ward. prop
erty in that section has enhanced In
value n hundred per cent. and some
places even more. and, of course, there
is great deal of credi,ablc pride
among all of the progressive citizens
10 nave that eyeSore and impcdimcnt
to traffic remedicd in permanent and
suitable manner Those citizens are
naturally anxious to have u nice street
ana as many visitors to the city.
strangers and capitalists seeking in
Nestmenis. some of whom would locate
here go through this section. the awful
condition of the street leaves very
.
ana public spirit of the citizens of
Norfolk
The utmost good feeling prevails be-
tween The property owners and the Lo-
cal board. and between The two, il is
safe to predict that shortly Front street
VIII pc a source of bride. not only TO
that thriving suburban ward but TO
every citizen of Norfolk
CHARACTER OF IMPROVEMENT
The ward has made an appropriation
Tor street improvements which is desic-
mated as a curbing. n thrce-foot cobble
stone gutter and an oyster shell road
bed: The property owners think that
such road-bed would simrly be n
waste OF money, as the heavy and con-
stant hauling would soon crush the
sheiis 10 powder and make swami
muck or OyStcr-shell mud
Inc suggestion has been made that
the street should be paved with Bel
si h bloGk' put there arc gentlemen
VINO doubt the ACCESSIBILITY of this
character of paving for that street. and
advocate the Verified brick, with n
sub foundation OF concrete
rms. of course. is detail over which
there will arise no disagreement. as
the CITY Engineer and the Local Board
VIII look thoroughly into the matter be-
fore giving out the contract.
ORDINANCE ON SUBJECT
The city ordinance governing the
matter of permanent improvements
provides that the property owners on
both SIDES The street shall pay twenty
fiVe per cent that is. one-naIf of the
cost of such improvements. IT IS IJN