Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24
W41ER STREET blTWfEN5Tn ANo III

commission says the present water 'front.'
age would be ample to accommodate ex-
listing commerce II 1t were not for the
unsystematic construction OF wharveS anu
sheds. This chaotic arrangement has re-
duced the actual available frontage TO
wharves and sheds were laid out in
practical manner. AS a result systematic
piers and wharves are proposed.
The moving back of the Potomac Park
retaining wall about 400 feet. so that the
total width between bulkhe d walls would
not be less than 400 feet. is regarded as
extremely urgent by the commission. BY
moving the wall back. as suggested. the
channel would be wide enough to insure
the easy and rapid turning of large yes
sells without endangering life and prop.
erty. The narrowness of the existing
channel makes it very troublesome. Some
of the larger boats almost back up
against the sea wall i'm leaving their
wharves and in order to get the bow
headed down stream.
For Use Of Steamboats,.
According to the plans of the commits
sion the lower portion Of the channel is
for the use of steamboats,. The lumber
yards are to be placed a considerable dis
tance from the steamboats,. so that fire
danger to such expensive CT 1T is reduced
to minimum. The morgue is placed so
as to be at distance from the steam
boats and pleasure craft. yet near the city
car lines. The harbormaster's Office. fire
Oathouse and possibly an armOry for
the Naval Battalion of the National
the public pier. the lower portion of which
is to be used for commercial purposes.
a recreation pier Is also provided for
at the foot of / street. but only the upper
portion of the pier is intended for recrea-
ton. while the lower portion is for use as
public pier for commerce.
The boat clubhouses and the small
pleasure craft are to be located at the
head of navigation in the channel. where
they will be of least harm to shipping.
1t is remarked that the location should
be regarded as a temporary one only. as
the pleasure craft interfere materially
with shipping and are greatly endangered
by the large vessels This trouble will
be amplifed as shipping and pleasure
craft increase in number. 1t is thought
that the best location for pleasure craft
Is at an anchorage on the river side of
Potomac Park below the railroad bridge.
There ample room may be provided for
anchorage and the great width of the
river would very much reduce the trou-
BILE stated. The location of boat CLUBS
along tn" park frontages is practiced with
good results in several cities. Such clubs
enhance the pictureSqueness of a water
park. 1t is hoped that authority may be
obtained in the future for this purpose.
IT being understood that the several or
CARNATIONS are to erect houses suita BILE
to their location in a highly cultivated
park.
Suggests Recreation Pier.
AS to the establishment of a recreation
pier the commission says:
a cursory study of the map of Wash
ingtcn will show the lack of small parks
in this section of the city. and therefore
recreation pier seems most desirable.
AS designed. only the upper deck will
be used for recreation. Two similar rec
reation piers in Philadelphia have met
with public approval and fill a long-felt
want. The public takes a great deal of
interest in shipping. and it will be very
much augmented if such conveniences
are given as are here proposed
The cost Of the pier complete will be
Strs. GN About one-third of the area of
the upper deck is housed in for protection
during Indictment weather In order to
render safe access to the recreation por-
ton of the pier or upper deck a foot
bridge over Water street is proposed.
1t is thought that the lower deck should
be held as public wharf for small ship
pers, as suggested for the wharf at the
1901 OF n street.
For a Fish Market.
"Washington is an excellent fish and
oyster market-in fact. the fish business
is one Of the most important industries of
our river front
Generally speaking. the plan calls for
timber platform to6 feet wide and $50
feet long, which is to be built parallel
to the bulkhead wall with three piers
projecting into the river. the outer two
having widths of 20 feet and the middle
one width of 20 feet The market Is
placed at bend in Water street and
the piers are made perpendicular to the
bulkhead line. This building is set back
Is feet from the bulkhead wall Its
dimensions will be $50 feet in length by
50 feet in width The front portion of
this building. about $50 feet by 30 feet.
will be devoted to weighing. cleaning and
selling fish. This portion will have a
clear headroom of "a feet from the floor
to the ceiling and will be we'll lighted and
ventilated The floor and sides of the
walls at least four feet above the floor
will be Of concrete. The remaining por-
ton of the building. which will cover an
area of $50 feet by 20 feet. will be two
stories high, with Offices in the second
story. Back OF the building on the river