Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-19
COUNCIL WILL DECIDE
ON SOUTH SIDE PROJECT
Special Meeting Called for To
Morrow for Settlement in Boiler
Plant Matter.
WANTS CITY AMPLY PROTECTED
Measure Now Provides That Ship
building Company Guarantee Re-
endorsement If Site Is Not Utilized.
Enterprise May Mean Much.

Tomorrow night the Common Coun-
Gil will hold special session to take
action on tho proposed ordinance pro-
vidinS for certain street. water and
electrical improvements TO the prop
erty on the South Side where the boiler
plant of the Newport News Shipbuiid-
Ing and Dry Dock Company Is to be
constructed.
Officials of the shipbuilding company
are awaiting to hear of the passage Of
the ordinance before taking any steps
toward building the plant, it was stated
by member of the Administrative
Board before the Committee on Public
Utilities last Monday night
The proposed ordinance, which has
been before the Council for the past
two or three weeks. was adopted by the
Board Of Aldermen Tuesday night in
amended form to insure protection to
the city In case the plunt would not be
constructed after expenditures had
been made by the city The amend
ments provide for a reimbursement of
such sums as tho city will have spent
should the company fail TO erect the
plant.
1t is expected that members of the
Council who are absent from the city
on vacation or other reasons will re-
turn and insure a quorum ut the meet
Ing tomorrow night. as the matter Is
considered most urgent.
AS soon as the ordinance ia adopted
and receives the signature Of Mayor
Ainslie the company will begin imme-
diately on the plant with the intention
TO complete 1t before winter weather
sets in, 1t is said.
bELIEEED TO BE FORERUNNER
OF MANY BIG INDUSTRIES
The plant Is believed TO be the fore
runner or many similar ones on the
James River by many business men.
VINO contemplate requesting the gov
eminent Tor assistance in dccpcning
the channel SO as to provide better
water transportation facilities
Although 1t has not yet been pur-
chased, pending action o: the City
Council on the ordinance. the site is
being held, II Is understood for the
company by the Old Dominion Trust
Company, to whom the tract of more
than 400 acres was sold 4 few weeks
ago. IT Is located on the South Side
near the property OF the Virginia Caro-
lima Chemical Company and opposite
the Old Dominion wharf, lying about
$50 feet outside the city limits in
Chesterfield County. In order that the
city's money might be spent in the
Improvement of property outside the
corporate limits. it is necessary that
authority be given by the City Council.
Before starting on their plant the
shipouilding company wants assurance
of adequate supplies OF water and
electricity, as we'll as paved street
that Will provide easy access to the
property. Water requirements are
10000 gallons per day, and this guam
tity can be supplied by connection
with the main on Hull Street and the
laying of eight-inch pipe. From 500
to 1000 kilowatts Of electricity will be
needed, and ii Ia desired that tho ex-
tension OF Fourth Street from Morgan
Street to the property be paved with
granite spalls. The total cost of these
improvements. as estimated by experts
OF the various city departments. will be
$4,000.
1t is generally believed in business
and financial circles that the plant will
mean much to the Industrial develop
meat of Richmond in addition TO be-
ing itself valuable asset