The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-17
IMP R0YE'NENTSIN
THE WEST END.
Prominent Business Men
Favor Scheme.
| W ANT COUNCIL TO act
Say Water, Gas ard streats Would
Induce Building Of Houses.
CHYs PROGRESS IMpEDED.
Houses in Demand. But People Will
Not Buy and Build Where They
Are Subject to City Taxes With
out Proper Improve
ment-Many Give
Their Views.
ClTps PROGRESS INpEDED.

" nanaer of pron,iitsRt business men
% this c:ty :ssve recently been interviewed
Tor The Times on tile stiSiect of the
Councii ordering improvements (such as
pavenlerts. sewers. gas and water con-
nectionsl il the outlying districts Within
the corporate limits. III order To encourage
the building up o. these sections. and
without a single exception they have been
found to favor the proposition. They hold
that the growth of the city has oeeiI
much impedsd by the failure of the Coun-
Gil to take such action. ant. point out
that persons Will buy ard build elsewhere
rather than run the risk OF not having
the benefit OF these improvements and
at the same time be subject to heavy
city taxes.
MR.. SITTEEDINGrS VIEWS
Mr.. Fritz Sitterding. who is one of the
largest property owners and contractors
in the city. said be had aIway; been
heartily in favor of the city making these
improvements in advance, in order to en-
courage the building up of the OUTLYING
districts
There is a great demand for houses
said Mr.. SitterdfHg. and if the people
could feel assured that they would have
the conveniences accorded those who HVe5
in the improved sections OF the city. they
would seek houses in the outlying dis
tricts, ana houses would spring up rapidly
in the West End
But we cannot expect them to spend
their money in building and pay heavy
taxes on their property with no improve
ments, water. gas. or other conveniences.
NJ Sitterding said e=owned about one
hundred houses in the improved part of
the city. every single one OF which were
now rented, and that he secentlv built
several on Chelsea Hill. which were APP
Piled for befors they We're completed
MR. CHk,MN1NG F4hvOkS
Mf a. j Chewing. when asked his
views concerning the matter gave out the
following
We. canno. expect the suburbs within
the corporate limits to be built up SO lens,
as The owners have to pay city taxes and
get no corresponding returns in the way
OF gas. water. and pavemeuts such as IS
the case In many parts of our city, esne-
c.atiy in the WesI-E.nd. No district should
be taken within the corporate limits until
the city is prepared to give these coavaTz
iences. Lee tff= streets be improved m
siead OF making so many uuwtse appro-
spri5tlons- and thsn you Will SEE. many more,
mics dwellings erected"
AS SEEN Bf MR. PfZZTNI
Mr.. William E. Pizziui believes the I'M
Proveleut by the city of the outlying dss-
tricLs would reslIt IN the rapid growth OF
those sections. Eie said:
u think that the extension of the sewers.
gas and water mains 10 the suburbs would
benefit the city considerably. rs property
near the suburbs is always cheaper han in
relative districts in The city where 1t is
closely populated. and Thus people would
he enabled 10 build houses on ground
which would not be- so expensive as 20 be
pronihtive, and they would in So doing re-
ceire the advantages OF those located ia
the inner districts. I do not favor ex-
tending these privileges. however. beyond
the corporate limits. as many would take
advantage OF the cheaper taxation rate in
the county and build where they could de-
rive city privileges and not pay city taxes.
and they would always combat any at
tempt TO extend the corporate limits as
il would mean increased taxation without
additional advantages
ALONG THE SAME LINE.
Mr. c. II. Sutton. OF AIessrS Sutton
and Company. SAID: .It is cnpital tdea
and I would rejeice to see it done. II
would induce people 10 buy and build in
these outlying districts, and the citv'S
growth westward! would be rapid, {
making sas and water connections. aud
IL this were done, results would follow
Very rapidly in my judgment
Mr.. Gilbert J.. Hunt. prominent con-
tractor said. THE. settliuS-up of tha
outlying districts has been greatly re-
tarded. in my Judgment. by the fatinre
of tbs. city to raakn the necessary ini-
provemsnts 70 facilitate building. ana
encourage people to locate in them.
I. number of other gentlemen. promf-
nens in different lines of business. were
seen. and without exeeas.oag ther favored
the suggestion and fhousht thu city
would grow ra p.G!y Is IN EoEneis woiiii
take the mater. up AID carry il Trough
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