The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-13
IMPROVING THE RESIDENCE DIS
rRlCT.

IMPROVING THE RESIDENCE DIS
In its massive business blocks. in its
population, in its volume of business and
in its commercial importance Seattle il
a city. Its well-payed and brilliantly
lighted business streets. filed to over
flowing with steadily growing stream
Of commercial activity. impress the Wis
itor with their cosmopolitan and metro
politan appearance. 1t II not until he
visits the residence portion Of the city
that this impression IL removed. Here
he finds many handsome residences. sur
rounded by well-kept and beautiful
grounds. but the unpaved streets and
rough wooden sidewalks are those Of an
overgrown town rather than those Of a
city, and 1t requires a speedy return to
the business streets to assure him that
his FIRST ideas were correct.
The people Of Seattle have been too
much engrossed In business affairs to
give the residence portions OF the city
the attention which they should recelve.
Sidewalks are allowed to get out Of re-
pair and driveways become mortar beds
Of mud or pillows Of dust az the sea-
sons come and 60. In winter. street
crossings are objects Of dread, and In
summer shade trees. shrubbery and
well-kept lawns are made unsightIy by
dust
This may seem a strongly drawn pic
ture. but the conditions justify the use
Of some means which will serve to At
tract the attention Of our citizens to
their neglect in the matter OF improving
and beautifying their home surround
ings.
1t Is a pleasure to record the fact that
active steps are being taken by the resi-
dents and property-owners in one OF the
best improved and most attractive parts
of the city to remedy the existing con-
ditions and to make 1t model for other
residence districts.
The plan includes the substantial I'm
provement Of those streets lying be-
tween University street on the north,
Terrace street on the south, Broadway
on the east and Ninth avenue on the
west, and. although yet in the forma-
tive stage. so many property-owners
have already expressed their willingness
to join in the enterprise that Its ultl-
mate success Is assured.
II il intended to profit by the expert
ence Of other cities and to employ only
the best Of modern methods in paving
parking and sidewalk.ng the streets,
recognizing how essential It IL that a
right beginning in this direction should
be made.
Once let this improvement be begun
and 1t will result in the Improvement
Of all the important residence streets
Home builders will demand it and prop
ersy-owners must heed the demand II
they would find a market for their build
ing lots.
This Is all that Is required to make OF
Seattle one OF the most attractive resi-
dence cities In the country. In scenic
grandeur and In heaithful climate il
stands unrivaled: its schools are unex-
celIed, Its church edifices numerous and
attractive. Add TO these inducements
the ability to get around at all seasons
Of the year free from the annoyances Of
mud or dust. and little more can BE-
asked
The expense TO the property-owner
will be made up four-fola In the In
creased rental or sale value OF his hold
inxs. once let a district be thus i'm
proved. and homeseekers will so there
first TO buy or rent houses Or 10 pur-
chase building lots,
No public Improvement suggested or
undertaken for years equals this In I'm
portance to the city and It's people. and
the council will doubtless aid the pro-
motors In every way possible to perfect
and carry out their plans.