The San Francisco call., 1907-03-04
REALTY MEN OPTIMISTIC
OVER CHARTER CHANGES
Oakland Brokers Say That
Amendments Adopted
Will Aid City
HELPS LAND VALUES
Independent Assessment of
Property Will Provide a
Firner Basis
HELPS LAND VALUES

OAKLAND, March 3.-Realty men
generally are optimistic concerning the
effect of the adoption of the municipal
charter amendments. They show es-
pecial interest I'm that which provides
for an independent assessment of city
property 1t is urged by prominent
real estate dealers that the effect will
be TO place real property on a firmer
basis and enable the city to more
equally adjust values in the work of
realizing municipal revenue. In the
same connection the argument is be-
ing advanced that high valuation
and a lower tax rate will conduce to
the general good, particularly in. the
effort to interest outside capital.
Robert A. Jackson of ]. II. Macdon-
aid & Co. believes that the municipal
assessment of property for municipal
taxation and revenue is desirable.
George w. Austin has the same belief.
Other leaders in the field OF business
have a similar opinion. The expression
along the street is that the adoption
of all of the amendments is progress
sive,
REALTY MARKET is ACTIVE
The week jus. closed was marked
by activity in the real estate business.
though no unusually important trans
actions were recorded. No dtminu-
tion in the demand for realty has
taken place. Steady inquiry for home
sites and a spreading of that demand
over a wide territory have been indie
ative Of the general market conditions.
Building continues as rapidly as the
material and labor can be obt9ined.
New residence districts are being
opened and are not lacking attention.
Throughout the business section ex-
pansion is noted. old landmarks are
disappearing under the stress of de-
mand for modern improvements.
The Southern Pacific Company has
made some large purchases of prop
erty along its local lines, looking
toward the Strengthening of tracks at
danger points and to reduce curves.
Purchases at West Oakland provide
way by which deaths curve at the
head OF Oakland mole can be improved.
This also includes extensive changes
along the north side of the mole. Ap-
pIications for franchises to cross north
of the present curve have been made.
A power plant site at Fruitvale for
the new Alameda electric system has
also been acquired. as has land in
Alameda and Emeryville for new track
age to obviate bad curves.
RAILROAD MAY BUY LAND
Report has it that the Western Pa
cific Railway Comeany has made pro-
posal to Colonel Herman Bendel to bid
on the Bendel homestead, facing the
east side of Alice street. between Third
and Fourth. This land is close to the
Horace w. Carpenter property at Third
and Harrison streets, which the West
ern Pacific owns, and where II in
tends, according to report, to locate a
passenger station.
The plans of the Arcadia Hotel at
Twentieth street and San Pablo ave-
nue. have been revised. The cost OF
the structure will be 100000.
A. Johnson has completed plans for
$4,000 residence in Vernon street
near Perkins.
L. Bercovich is erecting a mechanics
hotel at Fifth and Webster streets.
L. II. Briggs is negotiating with a
wooden manufacturing company which
desires to lease the old Hebrew syna-
gogue property in Harrison street, be-
tween Fourth and Fifth.
Building permits were issued last
week a follows: