The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1910-02-03
A WORD ON The
PAVING OF QUAY STREET.

That the purpose for which | write
this article may not be misconstrued,
wish to state that | am always in IA
vor of public improvements and only
regret that our citizens cannot afford
to do more than they do. For these
reasons, if any expenditure for public
improvement is contemplated it should
be carefully considered and made where
it will do the most good.
Since the railroad track along Quay
street has disclosed complications
which may not have been expected
when the paving was ordered, 1t has
drawn my attention to this improve
ment. After more carefully consider
ing all sides | came to the csnclusion
that the paving of the street would be
a mistake and should be abandoned, as
| am sure the large expenditure OF
over S35OOO.00 will not warrant the out
lay Why?
lst. Quay street has the railroad
track running along its whole length;
there is hardly a street similarly locat-
ed in large cities that is paved
2nd The street is mostly used by
coal teams and firms located on it.
These, am sure, will much prefer to
have it gravelled, requiring but small
expense and serving the same purpose.
3rd. That the paving of this street
is not necessary and is a most eXtrava-
CANT expense, is shown by the fact that
during the twenty years that the track
has been there it was not even founo
necessary to order the track planked
| between the rails, which | believe is
| required by the ordinance.
4th. The main object of paving
streets is to beautify city and to
create a pleasing impression, especial
ly to strangers, an impression indicat
| ing the progressive spiritof its citizens.
As Quay street is the least travelled by
an appreciative public, its improve
ments, even if made the most beautiful
street in our city, would not be noticed.
Therefore, if any improvement is to
be made, it should be where it will be
most beneficial and appreciated. This
would be the case on Franklin street,
| from Eighth street to the depot. This
would pass the Williams House, the
Victoria Hotel, Fire Station and the
new Post Office. This part of the
street is used a hundred times more
than Quay street is. 1t is the main
street that will give to a stranger his
first impression of our city.
All the lot owners on Quay street
have already laid their sewer and wa
ter pipes, ample for their require
ments. BY paving the street all this
would have to be dug up again and re-
laid, and, in compliance to the new
ordinance in front of each lot, al
though the most of these would never
be used, but would be a total waste.
The lot owners along the north side
of Quay street, on the river front,
would find themselves between the
devil and the deep sea. They are now
at continual expense to keep their
docks in repair to hold them from slid
ING into the river. Add to this the eX-
pense of paving, and relaying sewer
and water pipes and you will absorb a
large value of the entire property.
Under these conditions, all must adj
nit that a tax of over $350O0.00 would
be misappropriation of funds, wettld
be burden without commensurate re-
| turns, and that the order should be re-
scinded and the paving for the present
postponed.
When a few months ago the paving
Of this street was suggested, on the
spur of the moment, favored it, but
now after a more deliberate analysis,
have changed my opinion.
JOHN SCHUETTE.