Evening journal., 1912-01-26
ORANGE STREET FOR DU-
POINT BOULEVARD
BY D. F. Harrington.


street and extend the boulevard across
the Brandywine creek on straight
line by an arched bridge similar to the
b. and o. bridge; the roadway Of the
boulevard extending across the creek
to be on a level with Thirteenth
street.
The ground on the north side Of the
creek is high and would about cor
respond with Thirteenth street Large
arches could be left in the bridge for
the passageways underneath, and the
boulevard could run from the points
by the most desirable route This
would give the city a magnificent
park. just what it wants, and now
is the time to grasp the opportunity
which may never come again.
After the park system and boule-
ward are built, you have an ideal To-
cation for any building you would
care 10 erect such as a library, which
the city may build in a very few
years. a college, art gallery, hospital,
school, public comfort stations, etc,
all helping to make pretty city more
beautiful, and you would feel proud Of
It. especially when you have visitors
to show around the city. The park sys-
tenn would do more in advancing the
city beautiful idea than any other
proposition l have heard Of
The hotel should face on the boule-
ward. This could be accomplished by
putting a new front in the hotel so as
to face the boulevard, and by having a
lawn in front. A wing could be run to
the boulevard If this would make the
hotel too large, the present building
or upper floors could be used for Of
fees until such time as they are
needed for hotel purposes, and a new
hotel built on the ground directly west
of, and adjoining, the present hotel, to
face directly on the boulevard.
Place the boulevard where it will do
the city the greatest good
believe the properties within the
above area could he purchased at less
cost than any other central real es-
tate. II would remove many build
ings which are in a state of decay. 1t
would be without any steep grade, and
open up straight parkway
] believe Market street to be an inn
possible proposition, on account Of
the cost if the street is made wider It
is not wide enough at present for a
boulevard. French street would not do
on account of the steep hill between
King and French streets at Eleventh
street, and both would not do on ac-
count of numerous turns. / am not in
favor of abandoning Market street
| bridge, as / believe it would depreci-
ate property on lower Market street,
and we do not want to do that. as il
would be unjust to present property
owners.
/ do not believe the boulevard
through the western section of the city
to be desired OF to have any merits
when compared to the central PROPOSE
tions. Philadelphia is only twenty
eight miles away, and with a swift
moving automobile, is no distance off
A boulevard through the western sec
! ton would act as a feeder to Phila-
delpnia. A person moving along at a
rapid pace would not be as likely to
stop at Wilmington unless he came
through the main section with the
hotel and garages within easy reach.
Some of our citizens will not real
ize the folly of the western PROPOSE
ton or appreciate the advantages OF
the central propositions until the boul-
evard is completed. II will cost con.
siderable money, but results will JUS
tify the outlay.
IL could be paid for in several ways
the Boulevard Corporation to pay a
share, and the city a share; both tC
be repaid by the sale of franchises
There could be several franchises con.
nected with this proposition First
and greatest, a subway system Of rail.
roads with a central station on any
of the squares; Ninth street, Delaware
avenue or Eleventh street as desired
The Baltimore and Ohio, Pennsylva.
mia and Reading railroads have tracks
near Front street, and arrangements
might be made for them to run theiI
trains via Union Station Some Other
road or electric underground system
might be induced to join in the under.
taking. The other franchises could be
a subway for oil pipe lines, telegraph
and telephone lines. electric wires
etc.
If it is deemed advisable, in order tC
help pay the cost, grant a franchise
to a surface electric line on each side
of the park with restrictions necessary
as much as possible.
This park system would add to the
value of all abutting property in par.
ticular. and to city property in gen
eral All of the property in the imme.
date vicinity of Orange street, and
much of the central section around
Orange street is depressed at the pres.
ent time, and I predict a rapid and
! an hUf frt.4 -.
throughout the entire city. if the Or
ange street route is selected. The city
will be permanently benefited on ac.
count OF the increase in the assess.
ment
The park system and the boulevard
along with a river front will max,
Wilmington take ON new life and b'
but the beginning of a great city.
IL is a shame that this city does no
grow any faster than IL does; il hal
all the advantages that Philadelphia
has. philadelphia grows and has beer
growing ever since il was founded
l am very much pleased to find GU
citizens awakening, and the deter
mination to force ahead and utilize tn
advantages possessed by the city.
with the Mayor and Council Boar
OF Trade ad other organizations alonl
with the press of the city working 70
better things, with Mr.. duPont's lib
earl offer and services at the com
mand of the city, there seems nothin,
in the way o, the city securing wha
it wants.
ECZEMA SUFFERERS.