Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
Comprehensive Nature of Bill Introduced
in the House.
Dixie to Protect the City, Bridge Over
Union Station and Filtration.

Representative Ridgely has introduced in
the House of Representatives, by request,
bill to provide for the construction and
operation of certain public improvements
in the District. The scope of the measure
is very extensive and embraces construc-
ton of a sewer, a dixie, an arched bridge
over the river, underground entrances for
the railways running through the city,
union station, removal of the present rail-
way stations and yards and a filtration ap-
psratus for the District water works.
Sewer Extension.
The District Commissioners are author
lied and instructed:
First. To extend the 18th street north
west covered sewer to the Potomac river
so that the floor of the western end of the
sewer shall be twenty feet lower than that
at the intersection of 18th street and Mis-
souri, avenue.
Second. To construct a drainage basin at
the western end of the sewer, to be 100 feet
wide and 200 feet long, and be provided
with two rapid bailing machines. capable
of clearing the basin and sewer within ten
hours.
Proposed Dixie.
Third. To construct a suitable wall or
dixie from the high lands near the site of
the old naval observatory along the west
ern edge of the Potomac flats, along the
western end of the drainage basin and
southwardly to the southern end of the
flats. and thence eastwardly to the high
land near Pennsylvania avenue northeast.
crossing the open sewer lying along the
eastern side of the arsenal grounds by
means of a drainage basin similar to the
one indicated for the 18th street sewer. The
proposed sea WALL must be not less than
eighty feet in width at the top and twenty
| feet higher than the highest known flood
! line of the Potomac river-in order that
persons IN carriages and other vehicles
may use it as a grand driveway arc Ind
that portion of the city during the warm
weather if they so desire-as well as fill
the area of land so reclaimed from over
flow with clay from the most accessible To-
calities.
Bridge Over the River.
Fourth. To construct, own and operate,
| at equal rates to all users, a single-span
steel arched bridge over the Potomac river
from Fort Myer to the old naval observa-
tory, with double railway, wagon and pc
destrian thoroughfares.
Railway Tunnel.
Fifth. To construct, own and operate, at
equal rates to all users. n railway tunnel
with double tracks in 1t from the eastern
end of the bridge along the south side of
| the War, State and Navy building and the
/
! the Treasury building, out New York ave
nue. to North Capitol street. with under
ground stations at 9Th, 9th, 18th and 18th
streets northwest, as well at North
| Capitol and other suitable places in the
northeast section of the city of Washing
ton, ID. c.
Union Station.
Sixth. To construct, own and operate, at
equal rates to all users, union railway,
steamboat and shipping depot in that area
of land bounded on the east by 18th street
northwest, New York avenue on the north
! the said covered sewer on the south and
! the said Potomac river on the west
Seventh. To remove the present Baltimore
| and Potomac and Baltimore and Ohio rail-
| way dcpots. yards, tracks and buildings
| as well as the Long bridge.
| Filtration Plant.
| Eighth To provide appliances for fIterins
| the water supplied to the people in the
/ District of Columbia by the water works
| and
! Ninth. To improve and operate the rea
| which may be secured under the provisions
| of this act at such rates as in the course
! of fifty years will not only return the
| amount Of money so invested in the pro.
| posed public Improvements. but become q
/ source OF public revenue ever thereafter
| the authority to seize. condemn, appraise
purchase, improve and operate the rea
estate necessary for the proper execution
OF the foregoing described public improve.
ments is vested in the board of District
| commissioners. One-half of the necessary
| money Is TO be charged TO the revenues OF
| the District.