The San Francisco call., 1909-09-28

OAKLAND, Sept. 25.-Comprelensive
plans for the improvement of the
water front and for the erection of
new municipal buildings were adopted
this afternoon by the board OF public
works and harbor commissioners.
Mayor Frank X Mott. City Attorney
John W Stetson and City Engineer
Frederick c. Turner, who comprise
both the board of public works and the
board OF harbor commissioners, held a
special session to fix the final esti-
mates of the two projects. They put
the cost of the municipal buildings at
sI,15O, 900, including the requirement
of land and the erection of the city
hall and hall of justice. The extension
of washington street TO San Pablo
avenue is q coordinate.
WATER FRONT IMPROVEMENT
For water front Improvement the
amount of the bonds asked will total
81 222. 900. This includes the construc-
tion of docks and bulkhead on the west
water front. in Oakland harbor be-
tween Broadway and Jefferson streets,
and in East Oakland basin at the foot
of Livingston street. Further than
=.
board OF public works, after long and
quiet negotiations, for the acquisition
of water front lands between Broad
way and Linden street.
This proposed acquiring of lands is
part of the city administration policy
of securing to the city absolute con-
troll of it's water front. If the whole
scheme is fulfilled the city will come
into actual ownership of all the valu-
able tide lands in the estuary, except
ing two private properties. which are
occupied by the Western fuel company,
or the Howard company, at the foot OF
Market street, and by the Oakland gas
lisht and heat company at the foot OF
Jefferson street.
Great improvements made by private
interests in these two sections would
make the cost of procuring the land
almost prohibitive~ to the city at this
time; but that the municipality may
be safeguarded, the board OF public
works recommended to the city coun-
ell that both the exempted companies
be compelled to take out franchises
for limited terms OF years, and thereby
to acknowledge that the city is su.
preme on it's water front.
BOND ISSUE PROJECT
The bond issue project was submitted
to the council in the form of two re-
ports one relating to the city build
ings from the board of public works.
the other simplifying the water front
plans, from the harbor commissioners.
The water front Improvement mes
sage disposes of the controversy over
the method of dock construction tent
porarily. so that the bond issue may
go before the people. 1t reports that
the plans drawn by p. F. Brown, the
designing engineer. for pier construc-
tion have been adhered TO, but points
out that the special advisory commits
sion of engineers will report promptly
on the merits of the pier system and
the seawall system which citizens have
advanced.
The water front report makes recon-
mendations as follows:
The board. after careful reconsideratiap there
Of. repeats its former recommendation as TO i'm
mediate improvement work TO be done in Oakland
harbor between Broadway and Jefferson streets.
In addition to the Aforesaid work in Oakland
harbor the board, after mature consideration and
citizens whose opinions are entitled 10 great
weight recommends the requirement OF all water
tended and e low tide line II he a limit
of private ownership and extending from Jeffer-
son street to Linden, with the exception OF the
properties occupied by the Oakland gas, light aud
heat company. and by the Howard company.
these latter being omitted for the present. on
account Of the existing expensive improvements
which would have 10 be paid for If taken in.
and also because the frontage Is now being act
uaily put TO useful purposes. In any event.
however. this board recommends that these two
companies be required TO take out franchises
Of reasonable length Of time and also sc-
knowledge the rights Of the city 10 the water
frontage.
WANT CITY CONTROL
While this investment in lands IN advance of
their immediate improvement involves consid-
cradle expenditure. this board agrees in the
opinion that the future increase in values of
the lands themselves, to say nothing of the ad-
vantage and saving in final cost by forestallinz
private Improvements which would be out of
harmony with our general plans for future i'm
proyement would be greater than the rate of
interest on the bonds issued IT is necessary
in our Judgement that the city ultimately con
troll the whole water front and this is the most
advantageous time, ne believe, TO acquire these
lands.
Important recommendation as to the
use of the western water front follow.
Extensive street work, filing of marsh
land. dredging of approaches and the
construction of quays are dealt with in
these words:
Long study has been given 70 the problem of
what Is wise 10 do at this time on the hay front.
AS a result we now recommend % that bulk
head he constructed along fhe whole length of
the United States bulkhesd line where the city
proposes TO exercise jurisdiction and to do its
own development work, viz: for distance OF
l. 0s5 feet In the space between the United
states training wall and Oakland mole and for