The age-herald., 1899-11-05
THE PHENOMENAL
 GROWTH OF CITY
Many Houses Have Been Erected
 During the Year.
SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURES
Massive Business Blocks and Palatial Residences Have Gone Up-Many Millions Spent on Industries.
 Public Improvements

During the past twelve months no city south of the Ohio river has erected as many buildings as Birmingham. From state- ments compiled by architects and the chief of the fire department it is estimated that over 1,5OO houses have been built in Bir- mingham and the adjacent suburbs since January 1, 1899. In this estimate the hun dreds of small shacks erected around the various mines and industrial plants has been omitted, no accurate statement of the number can be ascertained.
 The buildings of Birmingham recently erected are not, as a rule, cottages or small huts, but some of the handsomest resi- dences in the south now adorn the High lands surrounding the business portion of the city. On the business streets numerous large and roomy buildings loom up where once stood little two-story bricks Many buildings three-stories high have been torn down to make room for these gigantic modern structures. The largest of these Is the addition to the business house of Love- man, Joseph & Loeb, a leading dry goods firm. This building covers an entire half block and Is four stories high The cost of this structure is something in the neigh borhood of $S5, 900. This is the largest dry goods house in the south.
 Among the other large buildings erected for business purposes are: Drennen & Com pany, Second avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets, cost $50,O00; May berry Hardware company, First avenue be- tween Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets, cost $45000; Miner building, Fourth avenue and Twentieth streets, cost S5O,OOO. Theat- rical house: Auditorium, interior fittings, $15,000; Jefferson theater, $60,000 Hospitals: St. Vincent's and Hillman.
 There are several hotels and other build ing contemplated, and in some instances the plans have already been drawn. The Met ropolitan has gone through a thorough renovation and has been refitted, costing about 5000.
 Not Building Boom
 It canont be said that this is building boom as everything erected is of a sub- stantial nature. Palatial residences are un- der course of construction all over the Highlands, and in nearly every instance are being built for homes and not for rental purposes. This is considered by architects to be the greatest evidence that the build ing movement is stable and not Of the boom nature.
 Of course it has been necessary to erect hundreds of cottages for rental purposes. as only the fortunate are able to possess handsome homes. These smaller edifices are Springing up on every side like mushrooms. In every part of the city and suburbs the hammer and saw make merry music.
 From estimates of contractors and archf- tects there is at present employment in this city for 600 carpenters, 250 plasterers, 450 brick and stone masons, 150 painters, 30 paper hangers, 15O plumbers, 50 fathers and 50 steel constructors. There are many men also at work in the farther suburbs who are not included in this list. For a few weeks there was slight clog in the build ing movement on account of trouble be- tween the union carpenters and the con- tractors The affairs was finally amicably settled, however, and everything vis now harmonious.
 In the list of buildings mentioned above the industrial plants have not been includ- ed. Within the year industrial plants have been built in and around Birmingham at an estimated cost of 8 900, 900.
 From an architectural standpoint there has been a great improvement in the erec- ton of houses in Birmingham of late years. This Is especially true in the construction Of residences. Birmingham has no set style of architecture as is true in most cities. but many of the South Highland residences are patterned after the colonial structures. The architects say that there is a trend to this style among those artistically inclined. This colonial style is becoming very popular in many cities and is made more beautf- ful by trimmings and interior fitting Of modern designs. Birmingham has high class of architects, and in no city can be found greater friendly rivalry between such artists as to beautiful designs
 There is no set style used in any of the buildings erected for husiness purposes. oet of them being built for comfort and room and on plain, common sense plan. It cannot be said. however. that Birming- ham is without handsome buildings.
 Public Improvements
 Private citizens are not alone in this building epoch. for the city of Birmn gham itself has kept up with the progress of in- dividuals and is spending large sums daily for the grading and paving of streets. It has also become necessary to build many new storm and sanitary sewers, and in this way large sums expended monthly.
 Since January 1, 1899, contracts have been let for the paving, grading, macadamizing and curbing of streets which will amount to S96. 300. The contracts already let for the building of storm and canitary sewers amounts to $71 200. Besides these amounts, ordinances have been introduced for the appropriation of over $100000 for street im- provements For this work the contracts have not been let yet, but will probably be given out before the end of the year. These different amounts will aggregate S267, TOO, expended for street improvements and sewerage in Birmingham for the year of 1899.
 Birmingham was originally built on a modern plan and very few cities can boast of better sewerage system. Except in instances where tho ely has grown exten- siyely very i'tt'n -'''>-0 -uent work has been necessary on the sewers.