Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-25
Many Improvements Plan
lned by Edwards Co.
Agent Stevenson Begins Work
Today on Bond Street.
will Have Co. operation Of City to
Considerable Extent.

This morning will mark the begin
ming, under the direction of Agent L,
B. Stevenson of the Edwards Manu-
featuring Co, and with the approval
of Robert Edwards of Boston. treas
urer of the company. of the most eX
tensive piece of work in the way of
Improvement of it's residential property
in that section of the city where its
cotton mills are located that has been
naugurated since the plant has been
in it's possession. The movement on the
part of the company is made for the
purpose Of furnishing better homes
for its employees and thus offering in
ducementS for permanent citizenship.
Agent Stevenson has had the plans for
these changes under consideration for
some time past and is now ready to
carry them forward to completion. And
it might be said also that as the re-
suit of A consultation Friday afternoon
between that gentleman and Mayor
Plaist"d that the city will cooperate to
a considerable extent in the work in
hand
Agent Stevenson has already done
some work in the Improvement line
on the old Mill block on Northern ave
nue., which was the first block of ten
ements built by the company and
where work in the way of improve
ment Of sanitary conditions and 9TH
ervis" was really imperative. The
building has been raised. new sills put
in and a concrete foundation built I'M
der it, new windows cut in the walls
to allow mere sunshine to find it's way
into the rooms, and many other things
done that will add to the comfort and
convenience of the tenants and will
furnish them with abiding places that
will be 'home" to them in all that the
term implies.
The base of operations on which
work will be commenced today is the
old building formerly occupied by the
Augusta & Boston Express Co. at the
northwest corner of Water and Bond
streets. and which will be the begin
ming Of a large amount of work to be
dore on that street and it's vicinity
The building is to be raised for the
purpose of putting in a concrete foun-
datiOr and if the building is found to
be worth repairing the work will be
carried out, otherwise it will be torn
down and a new building erected in
its stead. and fitted up in modern ten
ement style.
In addition to the above the work
OF Improvement will be carried to the
other tenements owned by tie COM
pany on both sides of Bond street for
it's entire length. These houses. which
are set low. will be raised, their align
ment will be improved concrete foun-
dations will be built under them and
they will be thoroughly repaired
throughout, due attention being given
to their sanitary convenienceS. and it
is also the intention to furnish them
with piazzas.
Bond street is a very wide street. and
in conectiCn with the general plan for
toe improvement of that thorOughfare
it is the intention to take a small por-
ton on each side of the street and
running it's entire length for the lay
ing out of a grass plot. also to set
out tree in front of each house along
the street. Mr.. Stevenson desires also
that each house may have a plot in
front to be utilized as q flower bed.
The raising of the houses above the
level of the street will allow of the
LAYING of sidewalk and the city will
here do it's part by setting granite
curbing along each side of the street
and laying a concrete walk. and max
ing such other improvements as the
street may require.
The work of the Edwards Co will
not be confined to Bond street. South
of the stone bridge over Bond brook
and on tn" east side of Water street
is a row of wooden buildings owned
by the company, which are more or
less dilapidated and these also will be
included in the march of improvement
and put in first-Class condition. like
the others mentioned The big factory
boarding house Just below will come
in for it's share of attention. The
grounds will be graded and grassed
over, flower beds will be established
and arrangements will be made where
by the keeper of the boarding house
will see that the grounds are kept In
a condition that will render them neat
and attractive.