The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-25
Thought That Corporations
Would Prefer Viaduct at
the Sloss Crossing
MATTER is MEETING
WITH MUCH FAVOR
Petitions in Woodlawn, AvondaIe and
East Lake Already Being Circu-
lated-Two Routes to Ensley
Are Feasible

The proposed Exum boulevard from the
Gary of Birmingham may involve viaduct
construction and may precipitate that
ques tion which has been sleeping, for
many months. It was suggested yester-
day that 1t would cost the corporations
near Sloss furnace crossing 10000 or per-
haps more to pave First avenue at that
of Mr.. Exum. If that is the case, and it
Is generally believed to be accurate. 1t is
the general opinion that the railroads,
with other corporate interests, will prefer
building the viaduct than to pave the
street and later be forced to build the
viaduct with n fine paved street beneath
the commission president. has received
much favor among property owners
through which the proposed paved street
is to pass. In Woodlawn, Avondale and
East Lake it is said that petitions have
already been started by persons interested
and are being signed rapidly by the prop
erty owners in that section.
Between the business center and Thirty
sixth street. corporations own a tremen-
dous amount IF property through which
the Exum boulevard is to pass. The Ala
bama Great Southern railroad, the Cen
tral of Georgia, the Mobile and Ohio,
southern railway, Sloss, Birmingham
Railway, Light and Power company, and
others are heavy holders. In addition, the
Birmingham Realty company owns large
frcntages on First avenue which Will
perhaps be included in the sgners to tho
petition. That the corporation interests
are interested in the proposed boulevard
Of Mr.. Exum is generally understood
Officials of the companies yesterday dis
cussed the proposition individually, and
it is said that the matter viii be looked
upon with favor by the corporation in
terests.
President Exum yesterday said that he
had been informed that the proposed
boulevard was bcing favorably considered
by property owners and others interested
in the general oetterment of Birmingham
lie said that he street would be one of
the most progressive steps ever taken by
this community and he proposed to do
everything in his power to get the boule-
ward constructed.
The city engineer has begun an investi-
cation as to the best route to pursue on
the construction of the highway out
Third avenue TO the end of the E,nsley
avenue. 1t is said two routes sire feasible.
enc being out the Third avenue road, as
at this time While, the other way is par
allel with the street railway tracks to the
fair grounds. Mr.. lcxum said yesterday
that choice was an engineering question,
and either wa would suit him.
eve will noa only greatly assist the
people of Ensley by the boulevard. and
the intervening properly owners" said
Mr. Exum, but the baseball crowds, the
state fair throngs and a vast number of
others will be helped if great boulevard
is constructed, as We propose
1t is entirely probable that the report
of the city engineer as to connecting up
three blocks of Ensley avenue in the
boulevard scheme viii be reported on to-
day. In any event the Exum boulevard
will be handled with rapidty and will
be under course of construction within
a reasonable length of time. Property
owners between this city and Fairview
are willing, 1t Is announced, and intend
TO give Mr.. Exum all possible assistance
in the proposition.