Evening star., 1901-05-27
AGAINST REDUCING WIDTH
RESIDENTS IN SOUTHEAST SECTION
FILE URGENT REQUEST.
Proposed Improvements to South
Carolina Avenue-Roadway of
Forty Feet Opposed.

The District Commissioners have received
a petition from Herbert c. Graves and
other owners of property on South Carolina
avenue between 11th and 18th streets
southeast, In which they state that 1t is
learned the Commissioners intend to mac
adamize the square at an early date and to
narrow the roadway from 80 feet to 40 feet
Continuing, the petitioners say:
I'VE earnestly urge and request that the
roadway be retained at its present width
of 30 feet for the following reasons:
1.-The curb lines have been heretofore
given for a 5O-foot roadway, and the
trees. now large and healthy, have been
planted accordingly, and to now narrow the
roadway to 40 feet would throw the trees
in the middle of the pavement, which
would make them obstruction and mar
the appearance of the avenue; and we
would greatly deplore it should it he neces-
sary to remove the trees.
South Carolina avenue west of 18th street
has fifty-foot asphalt paved roadway, and
we feel that this width should be retained
on the present square so as not to mar its
uniformity and beauty. Should 1t be de-
sired to narrow the roadway east of 18th
street, it could be done without harm, as
no lines have been given there and no
trees planted, and, moreover, street
comes in there and would help to make the
difference in width less apparent.
The parking fences the north side
and the iron fence of Mrs. Hessel on the
south side are placed according to lines
given by the District, and unless all were
compelled to change their fences to the
proper line (and we feel that it would be
unjust to compel us to do so, after direct
ing that we should place fences in the
present positions), there would be num-
Der of offsets in the fence line which might
prove distractions
Asphalt Block Preferred.
Iya oil
this square paved in asphalt block, and
make it uniform with that part of the ave-
nue. west of 18th street. This square Is al
most solidly built on both sides by sub
stantial houses, and many of them are
occupied by owners who take pride in
the surroundings and cheerfully Cooperate
in forwarding all improvements. This ave-
nue.. as you know, is 100 feet WIDE and
1t is one of the most beautiful in Southeast
Washington"
Captain Beach. the Engineer Commissien-
er, has approved and forwarded to his as
sociateS of the District board report on
the matter. submitted by c.. B. Hunt. the
District computing engineer Mr. Hunt
says.
Il recommend that the writer's be in
formed that sound public reasons require
the narrowing of this roadway and that
the conditions which they describe as indi-
eating contrary procedure We're fully con-
sidered when the decision 10 narrow the
roadway was reached.
"As to the trees being located some dis
tance from the new curb line, this need not
be considered a serious objection as the
changed, the sidewalk width from curb to
parking lines need not necessarily be
parking line being increased by the amount
the roadway Is narrowed. 1t would, Of
course, be the intention when general re-
pairs to the roadway between 10th and 11th
streets become necessary to likewise narrow
that roadway that uniformity Of curb
alignment would thus be secured