The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-08-26
A COSTLY DELAY.

C 0AfETIMEs opportunity can be ignored on it's first cdl and gen
erously allows those who snub it a second chance. 1t does not
happen often. II did not happen in the ease of the East Central
avenue paving plan.
Property owners n East Central avenue, outside the city limits,
had the opportunity of having the street in front of their lots paved
for about 60 per cent of the cost. The federal government road aid
funds were available to pay the remaining 40 per cent. 1t was II
bargain in street paving such as had not been known before, ard
win not be known again.
Certain property owners held out against the paving, even at 60
per cent of the cost. The matter was permitted to drift. At the last
minute a vigorous effort was made to put the proposition through and
all but one or two property owners had signed up.
Unfortunately the drive for the paving was delayed too long. The
federal highway authorities have placed a ban against all piece work
and small project approvals. There will be no federal aid for the East
Central avenue paving.
It is unnecessary to say 1--WE told you So to the property owners
affected. They win have ample time for reflection on the saving that
might have been made. The necessity for paving East Central ave-
nue. to the university remains as imperatfvely before us as ever. This
Is a work that must be done. Property on the street in question is
going to deteriorate in value if it cannot be reached in comfort. A
rapidly growing residence district is being held back, its development
is being crushed because the only way to reach il in comfort is on foot
or by arpane. Unless this street, or Silver avenue be paved, put in
first class condition and kept SO, the home building development of
this city will move in another direction. People are not going to
build homes on property that can only be reached over streets that
would make a wood-hauler abandon his job.
Two ways are open for the improvement. One is by voluntary
action of property owners, and the other is by bringing the East Cen
.ral avenue section into the city limits. The latter is the wiser course
for property owners and for the city.
If property owners in this dictrict really wish to see the value
of their holdings appreciate IL they wish development; if they wish
comforts and convcniences, they will inaugurate their own movement
to CONS into the city limits and will not wait to be urged to do so.
From Albuquerque standpoint the necessity Of a passable street
in and out Of the city to the east is apparent to all. Central and Silver
avenues open the way to all the mesa and mountain drives. They
connect with highways to Estancia valley.
II s the duty of the Chamber of Commerce to turn its attention
TO this particular street problem. The organization owes il, to the city
TO do this job and q il now. The city, in turn, owes it to the
University Of New Mexico to see that the job is attended to without
delay. The university is about to dedicate a new building. 1t s a
most credhabIe building. II was built largely with the voluntary
contributions of Albuquerque citizens. Why build buildings on the
university campus, why spend effort in building attendance and adj
vsnnng standards, if the institution is to remain cut off from com
munication by streets that are next to impossible.
The East Central avenue situation, from all standpoints, is a dis
grace to Albuquerque. II is a disgrace that should be wiped out
without further delay.