Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20
ACROSS THE POTOMAC
MANY IMPROVEMENTS UNDER
WAY AND PLANNED.
photo by a STAT photographer

| With numerous improvements under way
| and many projected. Alexandria real es-
! tate has taken decided move forward
| during the past year Al present, it is de-
| clared there is not modern house in the
! city for rent. That fact alone is said to be
one of the best indications OF the pros
perity of the city. The latter seems to
. have taken on new lease of life. and
| everything that will have tendency to
| improve the community is being furthered
| by the city council. Modern streets,
| public sewers and sidewalks of the most
| improved pattern are rapidly being pro-
vided Generally speaking. it is declared
there has been average increase OF
| 33 1-3 per cent in real estate values
| throughout the city turing the year. On
King street the principal business thor
Oughfare of the city. the average increase
| in values has been conservatively esti-
mated at about 30 per cent, which is con-
sidered remarkable.
The upper end of ing street. toward the
new union passenger station, is also i'm
proving in proportion II the other part of
that thorouShfare. and it has been esd-
mated that the average increase in Land
values in that section within the past
year is about p per cent.
Of Most Modern Type
While it is true that comparatively few
houses have been erected during the past
year, those residences that have gone up
are of the most modern type. and. in most
instances, have been erected by those
seeking homes. The great advance in the
cost of material has been considerable
draw back for those contemplating erecting
houses for investment Ii is pointed ous.
however, that such will not be the case
during the coming year as the demand for
houses is constantly increasing and many
of the calls from Washington. Real
|
erected in Alexandria will today bring as
good a return on the .-vestment as in any
| city of its size in the country.
\ sewer to drain the entire western area
| of the city. including the upper part of
| King street. which when completed will
| have cost about 50 ooo, is being con-
| structed In other parts of the city smaller
sewers are being installed
The upper portion of King street will
| soon be paved with vitrifed brick to the
| city limits. The street committee already
| has plans for the Improvement of practi-
| caly every street in the city, and much of
| the work will be done during the coming
year. Many o. the streets on the outskirts
| will, according to the plans formulated, be
| macadamized. and when that is completed
Alexandria may boast of being truly
beautiful city.
The shipping facilities enjoyed by Alex
andria merchants are second TO none in the
country Six big railroads enter the city,
and fleet of steamers plies between its
docks and Norfolk. The Potomac yards, one
mile north of the city, which give employ
ment to more than 600 individuals, have
increased the population.
Traffic is Increasing.
The local traffic between Alexandria and
Washington is constantly increasing With
the completion of the double track to the
city's limits. the Washington. Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Electric Railway Com
pany will have double track to Washing
ton. Handsome and cOmmodious ferry
steamers make frequent trips and there is
a prospect of another electric line to Oper-
ate between Alexandria and Washington.
All things considered the traffic accommo-
dations between Alexandria and Washing
ton are far superior to what they have been
In the past, and have proved big aid in in
creasing the value of real estate. Were it
not for the rapid transit between the two
cities, many of the residents who are now
employed in Washington would be COM
PEELED to reside there.
The water front of the city extends for
about one mile. and during the past year 1t
has been considerably improved. Nearly
every wharf along the river front is now
being used by steamers plying between
various river landings. The water front is
also being used by many manufacturers.
The banking facilities of the city are up
to date and several building associations
are fourishing. Most of the banks have
erected new and modern banking houses.
At, all of the banking houses the equip
ments and methods Of conducting business
are the very latest.
Purchase of a Wharf.
During the year the Alexandria Electric
Company purchased the wharf property at
the foot of Wolfe street and improved the
same by the erection of modern and up
to-date electric plant, which furnishes
electricity to the city and also to a large
number of merchants for lighting purposes
The new company will also furnish electric
| ltV for light manufacturing PURPOSES.
1t is understood that during the coming
year the Southern Railway Company, which
recently acquired square of ground on
Henry street between Wolfe and Wilkes
streets. will erect thereon additions to its
present machine shops and round house.
which will give employment to a large
number of persons.
machine shop, giving employment
| to about twenty-five people, was put In
operation during the year at the lower end
Of King street by Washington parties.
A Chicago concern which proposes to
manufacture beds recently acquired
| lease from the city for piece of property
situated near the old canal and will, it is
understood, soon erect on the site fac
| tory to cost not less than $4,000. and give
employment to about fifty people.
The American Lockte Company recently
purchased three-story brick building ad-
| joining its property South Union street,
and it is reported it will soon erect an ad
dition.
New Club House for Elks.
Alexandria Lodge of Elks will during the
coming year. 1t Is understood, dispose of its
hall at the southeast corner of Prince and