Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23

from sth 70 Broad. This street Is now 80
feet wide. and Il Is suggested that the ad-
ditional width be made By taking proper
ties on the north side
This section OF the circuit. Il is esti-
mated. will cost ss.775,oOo. This cost would
be greatly reduced however, by the as
sessment Of benefits against adjoining
properties ard radiating therefrom.
It Is contended by the committed that
the project will aid greatly In the con-
struction Of the proposed rapid transit
loop by reducing its cost and operation.
The construction OF stations would be
simplided and there would be less possl-
bility Of congestion.
WOULD AID TRANSIT.
In this connection the committee said
in its report:
THE delivery loop is such an important
part of the proposed rapid transit system
that it's construction can scarcely wait
upon the widening of all the streets form
ing the traffic circuit, but MS the cost Of
widening Locust street from Broad to
Eighth street, the portion which could be
used by the subway loop) is not great il
should be possible for the city to under
take the widening of this short section
at once; the assessed value Of the prop
erty affected by the widening OF this
section is sSO37,6OO"
The immediate measures which should
be instituted to make the traffic circuit
plans effective arc given by the commit
To- Hy, h. Il Iona
Authority for all necessary legal pro-
cedure should be obtained by amendment
OF the general road law or q new enabling
act and should be made applicable TO all
takings OF property for public use, Pro-
vision should be made for the levying Of
assessments and their collection either In
lump sums or instalments, the determt-
nation of benefited areas, the distribution
OF assessment, preparation of plans, esti-
mates of cost. public hearings, approval
of projects and such review and action by
designated courts as may be necessary to
properly protect all parties in interest.
your committee believes that the con-
struction of a central traffic circuit is
an entirely feasible enterprise, that It
would be of very great benefit to the city
at large and to the central section In
particular, that a large part of its cost,
perhaps so per cent, could be met by
the assessment plan, and that 1t should
be commenced at once. We, therefore
beg to submit the following recommends
tlons for your most serious consideration.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEE.
First That draft OF an act. or an
amendment to the present road law be
prepared and submitted to the State Leg
slature at it's next session to authorize
tho application OF the method of assess
ment above set forth to the taking of
property for public use and to define the
legal procedure for It's use
Second. That the Permanent Commit
tee on Comprehensive Plans take such
action as 1t may deem proper to encour-
age a change in the methods of property
assessment whereby land and buildings
may be separately assessed foi the pur-
poses of taxation and a uniform method
OF land assessment adopted.
Third. That the following draft of
resolution to authorize further official in
vestigation of the project be introduced
in Councils and its passage and approval
urged:
Resolved, by the Select and Common
Councils of the City of Philadelphia, That
the Department of Public Works bureau
OF Surveys) be authorized to make fur
their Investigations, plans and estimates
of cost for the establishment OF a central
traffic circuit to be formed by the WIDEN
ing OF Race, Sth, Locust and 18th streets
and to suggest method OF carrying the
said project to completion, including it's
financing and the work of opening and
construction, and to report the same,
together with such other facts and data
relating thereto as may be of value in
its consideration to these Councils.
Fourth. That immediate attention be
given TO the opening of that part of the
circuit to be formed by the widening of
Locust street from Broad street to sth
street and that legislation be obtained
to permit the work along this section to
be carried out previous to or coincident
with the construction of the subway de-
livery loop