Evening journal., 1918-03-18
SAYS CITY needs
5000 NEW HOMES
John Nolan, City Planner,
Thinks Government
Should Help
SUGGESTS SITES
FOR DWELLINGS

John Nolen, the city planning expert,
who made a survey Of local housing
conditions, has submitted his report
10 the Chamber OF Commerce. which
body had engaged him to make The sur
vey
Mr.. Nolen states that the density OF
population here is larger per 10000
population per acre than IN such cities
as Baltimore or Philadelphia. and that
while the population OF the past seven
years ha1 increased 2s per cent. the
number OF dwellings had increased but
ten per cent. lie says the city needs
300O new homes.
Cheap lands should be utilized in large
areas with wholesale planning and oper-
ations, he says. The report adds that the
detached house should have a lot Of 1000
square feet. The row house OF those
built in groups, should average 500 or
1000 square feet he says. Based on
this average, ten houses to the net acre
Of the detached or semi detached type
and twenty houses for those built in
rows per acre would be sufficient, ne
thinks The financial loss due 20 poor
housing is shown according to the report,
in the costly "labor turnover. One re-
suit of this shortage is high rents, he
SAYS These also must be paid in wages
He also calls attention to the necessity
of the careful planning of streets, blocks
and lots, ample provision for play
grounds, parks, schools and other public
building sites.
Mr.. Nolen summarizes his survey in
these paragraphs.
/. That a Housing Co.. be formed
with sufficient capital for contem
plated operations, in cooperation with
the Federal Government.
Q That some one with special fitness
be employed to give all his time to the
problem of an adequate supply of work
ingmens houses in Wilmington.
3. That various tracts of land suit
able in character and location, and low
enough in price for the housing of wage
elrners be selected and acquired by tn
company.
4. That in the proposed enterprise
proper consideration should be given q
The whole problem of community de
velomnent, including transportation an
recreation.
.. That the federal government
asked TO furnish 50 per cent of Oh
capital needed, and be responsible 70
the excess cost Of construction due Q
war c0ndltlonr.
g. That the proposed housing com
lanv enter into definite negotiation
with the federal government with a vie'
10 securing early action.
The report further states thao Tn
population OF this city had increased ,
Dor cont in the last seven years. where
a- t'o number Of dwellings had increa'
al but 10 per cent On this basis, IL
a HHn
1hc.r ,s a shortage Of 5000 houses her
A'lorg the sites suggested in the n
port ior the erection Of dwellings lor ti
WORKERS are: brennan tract, WOodlsv
Company. Rivervicw Heights pr0pert
grt. ton lea aud Willard salisbury Ia
uud Preston lea estate.
some other properties have Possibil
Ties and information available col
ccrrirr them is given az follows:
CIcland trct, of approximately
acres located wrss of Maryland av
nuc extended. south OF city line. On
sidc city limits. Rail and trolley tran
portation. Sewer and water servic
close by. All streets not opened
property. Good attitude, part o.
hroscn topography. Easily aecessih
from shipyards. Price aPproxiwdtel
81 800 per acre.
Mendcnhan properties east Of Cla
mont and<north Of Nandever ave, al
west of the p, B.. & W. r. f.
Tatum estate, west of b. & O. r.
fouth of Lancaster avenue acreage; on
side sewer and water services. Tran
portation adjoining. Tatnall and Cor
pany, agents; quote about $1,000 P
acre. County Assessors shows about j
acres assessed value OF, land and bull
ings. totai $4,000 (about $3.50 per acr'
The assessed valuation is 100 per ce
of the actual valuation.
DUPONT tract, general location is TO t
southeast of Gordon Heights Pen
lmn. Edge Moor section Old powd
wharf. gentle slope 20 river.
Baldt Steel Works property at N
Castle reported about 10 acres suital
for house development.