The San Francisco call., 1913-09-20
By Joseph A. LEONARD

One of the most important factors
in San Francisco's realty market
right now is the Twin Peaks tunnel.
There is neither valid reason nor
any measure OF sound argument
against the construction of this tun-
mel. Owing to water limitations San
Francisco can extend in but two di-
reetions along the peninsula-south
and west. In the chain of hills of
which Twin peaks stand out pictur-
esquely nature has presented a bar
rier, but thanks to engineering skill
this barrier is not insurmountable,
for while we can not run railroad
over the hills. we can run one under
them.
The tunneling under this chain OF
hills was not proposed or inspired
by any selfish motives upon the part
of any man or any body Of men for
the purpose of exploiting realty
aracts beyong the peaks, but the prof.
ect was born of necessity to meet
the requirements of San Francisco's
normal growth and development.
While the great benefits which are
TO accrue as a result of the building
Of the tunnel, together with the ex-
tention OF Market street. which is
included in the proceedings. will be
enjoyed by the city as d whole, these
benefits will be of a potential nature.
while the benefits to be derived bv
the property and territory contiguous
10 the portals and extremities of the
tunnel, and which come within the
confines of the assessment district.
viii be real and substantial.
In fact, very material benefits have
already accrued in advancing the
value OF property within the assess
ment zone on both sides of Twin
peaks The enhanced value has ap-
piled in proportion to the volume of
corporate or individual holdings.
While 1t is accepted as matter
of course that property owners. big
or little, are placed upon the same
equal footing in the proceedings
when it comes to a matter of protest.
the fact remains that the property
owned by the 2 per cent of protest
ants In the district has substantially
increased in value since the tunnel
project assumed definite form.
As City Engineer NJ. NJ O'Shaugh-
messy. who has carefully and skill
fully drawn the plans and specifica-
tions for the big engineering feat
has said, San Francisco has received
a great gift from the property own
ers on the southwesterly extremity.
who practically donate, without cost
TO the city, IS per cent of the entire
project.
Property within the assessment
district on the city side, which
stretches fanlike from the easterlv
portal of the tunnel, contribute Is
per cent of the s3.9e4.2S9 which the
city engineer estimates the tunnel
and the extension of Market street
from its present terminus at Seven
teenth and Castro streets TO Eight
eenth and Hattie streets, will cost.
Owing to restrictions placed upon
the big residence tracts which are
now being opened up beyond Twin
peaks. and which will provide homes
for many thousands of families
stores and other commercial enter
prises are barred, it is obvious that
the business houses nearest to these
resident parks are going to enjoy
very substantial benefits from their
customers on the other side of the
hills.
Il LuAS QOES nOL IOfICW II VIII De
very much of an exception as COM
pared to the commercial and real
estate advantages which have come
to comparatively the same localities
in other cities where tunnels have
been built.e
Let. US take one specific case, for
instance. The property adjacent to
the west portal of the Third street
tunnel in Los Angeles was of little
value. being inaccessible and un-
salable The best of it could be
bought for $500 for a so foot lot;
5000 was a fair price for inside lots
Upon the completion of the tunnel
the western extension of Third street
for three or four blocks Immediately
became retail business property, and
the adjoining blocks became hotel
and apartment house property, and
values climbed skyward
In New York, Boston and other
cities. where tunnels have been built
extensively in the last 10 years. tre-
mendous development has followed
the opening up of new lines of trans
portation through the subways
1t is obvious that Market street.
the main artery Of San Francisco,
viii get the lions share of busi-
ness from the dwellers beyond the
peaks. but it also follows naturally
enough that the diverging business
streets viii get their commensurate
share.
b. means of Twin Peaks tunnel an