The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-01
NOTABLE YEAR N
H|STOTY OF CITY.
Continued from First Pagc.)

| ~ ls1ANA = SIidIl d 6u CQOuS2nU.
While expansion OF territory has been
welcomed, It entails heavy responsibilities
upon the city, and contributes not a few
momentous problems. with which the city
government must deal. Already fire ana
police protection and the benefits OF
urban schools have been bestowed on the
new citizenship. and as soon az practi-
cable additional lights. water, sewerage
and street improvements Will be ordered.
With the accomplishment OF extension
or the city's borders. a movement hnB
begun to place Richmond intthe two hun
dred thousand class-that Is to say, that
Its progressive business men and citizens
are working to make the year 1907 a long
stride towards great city, with the ulti-
mate purpose OF making 1t city OF
10000 population. More room Is provided
for manufacturing sites, for residences
and for parks and for everyspurpose, and
already the yalues OF lands annexed have
been rapidly enhanced Another year 1t
IL confidently expected to4 see much OF
the new territory as closely built up as
desirable, notably in the western portion
{ O. tho larger city. ~ 4,
The completion OF the clearwater plant
Just west of the city marks distinct
Improvement, and costly one. The series
OF settling and coagulating basins begun
In 1904 was recently completed, and tho
great concrete flume which Will conduct
the clear water to the pumps, is nearing
completion. The entire plant will have
cost $4,000 year, but 1t will bestow
benefits upon future generations. and
De well worth the cost in supplying the
city with ample clear, pure water for
drinking and bathing. The plant is now
paid for out of the bonds Issued for the
D(lrDOge.e md Ia a MI ~
Another great public Improvement be-
gun during the year. and only Just begun,
Is the provision of a magnificent and
.commodious modern high school building,
centrally located, and to be Of massive
and substantial construction. The plant
will occupy the entire block bounded by
Eighth, Ninth, Clay and Marshall
Streets all OF which has been purchased
by the city. ~
The building will cost approximately
'S2oo,oD and building and site about $500. Geo. |
The work of construction Is soon to begin,
a large portion of site having been cleared |
for tho purpose. Buildings on the south
ern half of the block will soon DO RACED |
also.
OTHER MUNICIPAL
IMPROVEMENTS.
The city has just completed and Maid I
for new gas-holder at cost Of $3.50, 900 /
as result Of which the storage capacity |.
of the city has been increased from about |
65O,o GOO feet to more than 2, 800, 900 feet thus
tns'1rins ample Illuminating and fuel gas
for years to come. In this connection it
may be well to state that the receipts
from gas consumed have Increased during
the year some $4,000 or $4,000 In addi-
ton to this enlargement Of the storage 7
capacity Of the plant, bids have been
asked for the complete rehabilitation OF
the city's plant at an estimated cost Of
S350, 0Sl. Ere the close Of another year
1t Is expected that the works will have
undergone such a rehabilitation as to
amount to a positive renovation.
Legislation Is pending which will guard
against repetition of history in allow
ing the condition of the plant to deterio-
rate. and will operate to keep it up to
high standard of efficiency.
a recommendation has been made to
the Council that the sum of $4,000 be ex-
pended in the construction of 10 muncipal L
electrical lighting, pumping and power
plant on site owned by the city, and
one with ample water-power for the gem
GRAFTON of current. Advocates of the plan
claim that the building OF this plant is
assured
Among other municipal acts OF the year
Of life and property at a cost Of about
$4,000 per year: the purchase OF an ad-
ditional fire engine and other apparatus
for the fire department.; the determine
ton to eXpend about $4,000 for a new
ana of $4,000 to convert a
piece Of city property into an auditorium
with a seating capacity Of about $500
people. The old First Market building,
as unsafe. has been reduced Il
% a one-story structure and reconstructed
substantially.
a new building, to be occupied as the
First Police Station. Is near completion
IN last Broad Street. near Eighteenth.
A great many valuable permanent I'M
,rovements to the streets. sidewalks and
llleys of the city have been made lurln, I
he year, and In many cases asphalt 4
,lock has replaced less desirable paving
Material, bringing about great Improve
nent. Perhaps $tha most noteworthy I'M
Of streets is the widening of
Monument Avenue from Allison to thu
Boulevard, SO as to give 1t a uniform
Width of 140 feet. and make 1t the hand
omest thoroughfare In the city,
The city has also taken steps to further ! i
rotect It's water mains ana gas pipes
rom corrosion by electrolysls, ana will
xDepl considerable money IN thisN AZ, |