The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-05
NEW SOCIETY STANDS
FOR BEAUTY OF CITY
Civic Improvement Associations
Bridge Committee Submits
Report.
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE
Ornamental Structures and Fall
Creek Driveway Among the
Recommendations.
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE

The Civic Improvement Association has
begun an active campaign for the beautify
ing of the city in the way of ornamental
bridges. Yesterday the associations COM
mittee on bridges submitted a report de-
claring that now is the accepted time TO be-
gin long-needed work in this direction.
1t Is cited in the report that the present
necessity for a wholesale renewal of the
bridges of the city affords an excellent OPP
portunity to ornament the city in this par
ticular. The committee insists that with
as many streams as run through Indian
apolis the bridges could be made one of its
chief attractions and at very little addi-
tional cost The report insists. however. on
consistency in the work That only one or
two of these structures should be built
would be like the erection OF one good home
In the midst OF a slum district A plan
covering the entire bridge system OF the
city is advocated. everything to show that
the bridges are part of an artistic whole,
and not accidental structures.
Along with building of bridges is consid-
banks of White river and Fall creek. This
feature is insisted upon as much as the
where this plan of parkways has been fol-
lowed, which greatly added to the beauty
of the watercourses.
PARKWAY PLAN.
1t is suggested by some that the parkway
should begin along Fall creek at Indiana
avenue and run through to the army post.
To do this it would be necessary to wall
the waterways to prevent the washing
away of the banks. 1t will also be neces-
sary to buy tracts of land along the water
course. and the sooner this is begun the
cheaper IL can be purchased, as the price of
city property is constantly increasing.
Another argument offered in favor of the
driveway Is that economy could be prac-
ticed by walling in the river, which would
prevent the washing away of the lands and
the filling in of low places with undesirable
debris
Should the driveway be built an impede
ment would be encountered at College ave-
nue. where a new bridge is in course of con-
Structlon. On the north side of Fall creek
IL has been necessary to do considerable
filling in and If completed according TO the
original designs the filling in would COM
pletely block the route of the driveway
and make IL necessary to leave the water
course and take roundabout way of sew
eral squares up College avenue. This i'm
pediment was pointed out yesterday morn
ing and a suggestion was offered by County
Commissioners McGregor that instead of fill
In up to the specified point an additional
bridge span would allow the park road to
pass under the arch.
QUESTION OF EXPENSE.
The expense of this additional span is
the question that is now presenting itself
TO the Civic Association. Mr. McGregor
said last night that the completion of the
new bridge without any additional cost
would consume all of the appropriation
made for it, 1t was believed by some that
the Park Board would be willing TO stand
great part of the cost of the new arch,
since to break away from the creek route
members of the board affirm, would be to
destroy the beauty of the proposed scheme.
1t Is believed that all parties concerned in
the construction of the bridge would be
willing to make the change from the orig
inal specifications If plans could be deter
mined upon TO raise the funds for making
the change. Mr.. McGregor said last night
that he would present to those in charge
the matter of the additional expense en-
tailed in building the new arch.
The Indiana Union Traction Company has
agreed TO do the filling In if the county
would build the bridge. For this reason IL
Is believed that the traction people will not
object to the proposed plan of an additional
arch, which would mean a saving of ex-
pense TO them.