The Greeley tribune., 1904-07-07
IMPROVING STREETS
Work of Grading Greeley Streets
Being Pushed Rapidly.

the fact that its streets are the
levellest, cleanest and best unpaved
thoroughfares IN the state. But all
are not in irst class condition and it
will take a couple Of years to bring
them up to the new standard.
Three years ago taxpayers on
Ninth avenue circu lated petition
among the mselves. asking for sum
regulated by their property frontage,
toward defraying the expense OF put
ting that avenue in good condition.
AT that time this avenue, one OF
the finest In the city, was sight TO
make the average resident feel srouty.
1t was a stretch OF hillocks, hollows
aud ruts. and after heavy shower
there were numerous ponds and mud
holes from Ninth to Fourteenth
streets. The municipality, on petit
tion had agreed that II all property
owners on streets or avenues wanted
those thoroughfares graded and
graveled, it would furnish the gravel.
but the other expense must be borne
by them. That was the reason for
the subscription paper being circu-
lated among the property overs OF
Ninth avenue.
The money to do the work was
readily subscribed, and that fall
every citizen felt pride In the ave-
nue.. 1t was level and clean, and
when used a few weeks vehicles
glided over 1t, making 1t pleasure
to those who used buggies, carriages,
carts, or heavy wagons even. Then
the cry went up on all sides foI SIM
liar work to be done on other streets
and avenues. But 1t takes time,
and Street Supervisor Seaman was
able to do only so much Work, and
but little was accomplished in that
line last year. This year the ~crk is
progressing finely. 1t is estimated
that not less than three miles o.
streets will be put in IS good condi.
tion as Ninth avenue.
When that avenue vas graded
and gravelled, 1t was thought no
more calls for similar Improvements
would be made for some years, as the
average street in the city Is IN fairly
good condition, only after snow or
rain. Consequently the grade was
not made to conform to cross streets.
But the taxpayers on Ninth and
Tenth streets subscribed the neces-
sary sums this summer to have those
streets put in first class condition,
and after that had been accomplished.
Mr.. Seaman found that he must cut
down Ninth avenue foot, between
the Blue Front store ard Eighteenth
street, and the work wiif'be done
sometime this summer.
Adjacent to Greeley Is fine bed
OF decomposed granite and when this
gravel is spread and rolled over a
roadway it becomes solid like cement.
The bed is owned by the city, and 1t
is estimated there is enough to
spread over every mile OF street In
Greeley. The methods employed are
quite simple, but the work is effective.
The roadway is plowed and graded,
then covered we'll with the cement
gravel. 1t is then rolled, and
sprinkled with water, and In few
weeks 1t becomes one OF the finest
driveways The work that has been
done. and to do this season. includes
Fifth, Ninth and Tenth streets:
and two blocks on Seventh avenue,
between Seventh and Ninth streets;
also two blocks on Ninth avenue.
Besides the graveling and grading
done, Supervisor Seaman has laid
twelve fine crosswalks at tritling
cost TO the city, owners OF property
contiguous to those street intersec-
tions contributing money to defray
most OF the expense The cost Of
work and material on that work was
sT0T. but the contributions were
Si55, the balance, 1852, being paid by
the city. These crossings are built
of two walks of stone slabs, fifteen
inches wide, with space between Of
the same width that is stamped with
sand and loose rock. They make
excellent crossings, especially when
the streets are covered with mud or
slush. The supervisor says he has
twelve crossings more to lay this
year, which he thinks wilt be suilic-
lent until next spring.
In the matter of streets and cross
ings, that official has demonstrated
that he knows what good work is,
and he sees that the taxpayers get
what they pay for.
In passing, it is hoped that 1T Will
not be long before the residents on