Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-19
COL. RIDDLES REPORT
REPLIES TO REQUEST OF MOUNT
PLEASANT CITIZENS.
The Opening of Streets and Other Sug-
gested improvements Commented
Upon by the Commissioner.

Col. John Biddle, Engineer Commits
sioner, has lust prepared an extended re-
port in reply to requests for improve
ments, submitted to the Commissioners
in a series of resolutions adopted by the
Mount Pleasant Citizens Association at a
recent meeting. The association requested
the Commissioners to urge upon Congress
the necessity for opening 18th street from
Florida avenue northward to Park street;
the extension of 18th street north from
it's present terminus; the opening of Eu-
cid place; the widening of the roadway on
Howard avenue, and also that sidewalks
be laid on Kenesaw avenue westward from
the terminus of existing walks in Denni-
son and Leighton's subdivision
In regard to the sidewalk on Kenesaw
avenue Mr.. c. B. Hunt engineer of high
ways, states that the office is unwilling to
recommend this construction at this time
out of consideration of all the physical
circumstances of the case, and from the
further consideration of the fact that the
owners of all the abutting property have
protested against the construction.
Engineer Commissioners Report.
Col. Biddle's report on the whole series
of resolutions contains five specific state
ments and is as follows:
First. That the position of the Com
missioners with reference to the extern
sion of 18th street and 14th street and the
opening of Euclid place is known to the
association, as reports have been submit
ted by the Commissioners to Congress on
bills for these purposes.
Second That it does not seem ad-
visable at the present time to extend the
sidewalk on Kenesaw avenue, for the rea-
sons that the property owners object to
paying half of the cost OF the walk ana
that it's construction would necessitate
large amount of fill and therefore be es-
pecially costly; and that it would only
be used by persons gong TO ana from ON
the Geological Park and the roadway be-
ing well macadamized would seem to ful-
fill every present requirement
Third. That the Commissioners are
aware of the imperfect condition or the
new sidewalk on Park street near 10th,
and on 10th from Park to Sheridan avenue
that the walk is under five-year guaran-
tee and will be put in good shape; out as
the sidewalk can now be used 1t Is con-
sidered better policy to walt until after
winter before requiring the work to be
done, in order that the full extent OF the
damage may be ascertained
Fourth. With reference to the narrow
ing of Howard avenue-that the width of
this street is 10 feet between building lines;
If the carriageway is made 80 feet wide 1t
would leave only IL feet on each side 1or
sidewalks; that the minimum width OF
sidewalks is feet, which would leave only
H. feet on each side between the building
line and sidewalk; this would prevent the
use of steps extending over ~ feet; would
prevent the erection of the style of houses
usually built having few steps leading 10
the front door; would bring the houses al
most directly onto the sidewalk and would
lead to what would seem, on a residence
street, very unsatisfactory condition
Not Through Street.
''If the roadway is made twenty-four feet
wide it will give about four feet of parking,
and allow steps to be built when necessary,
and the arrangement would be more in pro-
portion than the other. Howard street, ac-
cording to the highway extension plans as
approved by Congress, will not be through
street and therefore not one which Will
have very much traffic. Streets of equal
width. or slightly greater width within the
city have been treated In the same manner
with twenty-four-foot roadway, and the
Commissioners are OF the opinion. that II
would be more satisfactory to the residents
on Howard avenue the street gets built
up with buildings on the building line. II
a building restriction line were established
so as to prevent the erection of buildings so
close to the sidewalk the case would be diff
ferent. and thirty-foot roadway would be
more proper.
THE Commissioners will be glad to hear
from the association, especially from the
owners of property on the street, with ref
efence to this matter.
Fifth With reference to the purchase of
small parks, the practice of the Commits
siOners has been not to initiate bills of this
character. for the reason that the need for
these parks in the different sections of the
District is great that the whole subject
would have to be taken up, making larger
item than the Commissioners would feel
justified in including in their estimates at
the present time. when so many extraordi-
nary projects are in course of execution.
When such projects are, however brought
to their attention by reference of bills by
the committees in Congress the Commits
sioners are always glad to express their
views upon the matter"