The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-01
THAT AWFUL BIDDLE CREEK
City Engineer Rogers Thinks He, Ha.
1t Fixed. 100.

cap II l could say that the drainage Of
Biddle creek has been finally settled
while L was in the office of city engi-
neer' said John Rogers, city engineer,
AFTER the council had authorized the
first work for handling the flood water
from that troublesome stream IT lis
safe to say that the council feels that
u VIII De the same sort of triumph for
them when they finally tie bowknot
IN the aspirations of the 61inky little
spring freshet sse5S. ~ z....'5, -
rams and specifications were ordered
py the council for the paving of Locust
street from Fourth to Eighth avenue
and the repaving of East Sixth avenue
from the viaduct to Locust street The
changing OF the grades of Locust from
sixth avenue to Eighth avenue and
East Sixth Avenue from Locust to
Lake streets was ordered by resolu-
tlon Plans and specifications were
also ordered for the construction of
drainage facilities for Biddle creek and
resolution declaring for this improve
ment secured the approval of the eoun-
Gil. -
The ordinance fixing the bounds of
the benefit district which will meet this
cost has not yet been submitted but it
VIII be bounded in general by all that
part of the Second ward lying east of
Lime street and south of the Shunga-.
nunga creek. %f-, (
The plans for Biddle creek provide
for the diking of the stream for dis,
lance OF two blocks, the construction
OF a concrete spillway and riprappfrg.
its banks. The cohble stones from,
Sixth avenue where il Will be. repave1f
with brick will be used for riprappfng
The changes in the grades of the two
streets to be paved is done in order to
divert the water down Locust street
instead of permitting it to spread all
over at the intersection of Sixth and
Locust. By paving Locust 26 feet wide
with a cement curb three feet wide
and of extra height it is planned to
throw the excess of water from Biddle
creek and permit 1T to- empty into the
Shunganunga at Fourth street. con-
structing a. species of raceway. s,
This. work viii be done this yeAf. not
withstanding the fact that it Will be
impossible to place the tax on the
property this year for this improve
ment. Some of the cost will be carried
by the city until next year when the
property can be taxed while the COM
tractors agree to carry the paving over
at an extra charge of per cent. This
arrangement permits the work to sba
done this year otherwise it would have
to be postponed until next year. some
thing that is desired to be avoided on
account of the annual spring foods.
A board of appraisers to appraise the
damages and benefits arising from the
change of grades was appointed last
night by Acting Mayor C. w. Horn.
The appraisers who were in turn con-
firmed by the council consisted of r.
A. Magaw, J. c. Bratton and r. A.
Richards.
Other boards will have to be appoint
ed to appraise the property liable for
paving, also the property within the
benefit district.
Less one-half of the sidewalks will
be constructed this year as compared
to last when about ~ blocks were au-
thorized by the council. The big re-
duction is due to- the safeguards
thrown about the circulation of side
walk petitions by the city. Previously
any old form of q petition went. But
this year regular form of petition
drawn up under the supervision of the
city had to be submitted and all of
the property owners liable for the inn
provement had to be consulted before
prising contractors would get busy
with petitions which they would cir
cuiate with considerable industry re-
sulting in wholesale applications for
sidewalks. many of which however did
not have the entire consent of property
owners.
Some of them. never knew until
they commenced grading that side
walk was goings-to be put down in
front of their property" said Council
man Jordan. ..
The 25th was the last day on which
sidewalk petitions could be filed and
acted on this year and. in accordance
with this ruling the city clerk was in
structed to advertise for bids for side
walk construction The bids will prob
ably be ordered filed by O'Clock of
July 6. ..--
The following petitions for sidewalk
were the last to receive favorable &C
ton: South side Of Eleventh street
from Fillmore to Clay streets; east
side of Ash street from. State to Chase
streets. A petition for sidewalk on
Stevens street from The Drive to
Laurel avenue was placed on file be-
cause il did not have a sufficient num-
| Der OF signatures.
UNION BRICKLAYERS MAY QUIT
nszueE
Ask for Six Dollars Day Instead OF