The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1927-05-27
ENGINEERS SAY
FILL FEASIBLE
ON Waterfront
Emphasize Cheapness Of Con-
struction : Project En-
dorsed by Chamber.

From an engineering STANDPOINT,
the proposed waterfront fill from
lower Front Street to point op-
posite the j. b. Caro- & Co.. prop
erty on Main Street is entirely feas-
ible at a cost comparable nowhere
else in similarly situated communi-
ties, the Chamber of Commerce was
told today by several engineers who
have studied the proposition. Every
available seat was taken in the
Chambers luncheon room at the
Alaska Elecrie Light & Power CO.
building when the project was dis
cussed in more or less detail for
more than one hour.
At the end of the discussion, the
Chamber unanimously adopted a
resolution endorsing the work of
Engineer F. A. Metcalf as far as
it has progressed and authorizing
the Board of Directors to appoint
special committee of three to con-
fer with the property owners in
volved and City Council relative to
arriving at a program for undertake
ing the work.
Local Situation Ideal
The project embraces the con-
in behind it with tailings from the
Alaska Juneau mill. The material
for the fill would be sluiced by
fume from the mill.
"The situation here is ideal for
such an undertaking, making it pos
sible to acquire made ground at a.
cost of about one fifth of that at
which the average residence lot in
bo nil ;e T.
calf told the Chamber. The cheap
ness with which the project could
be carried out was also emphasized
by l.. II. Metzgar, general superin-
tendent of the Alaska Juneau, M. ID.
r., and Emil Gastonguay, of thel
Alaska Gastineau.
Form Improvement Company
Mr.. Metcalf said If the 35 prop
erty owners in the district, includ-
ing the City itself, agreed to the
project, 1t was planned to form an
improvement company which would
handle the business end of thei
undertaking. He asked for thel
Chambers endorsement and the ap-
pointment of committee to handle
the matter with the property own
ers and the City Council. The
Chamber unanimously agreed to do
this
Final estimates of the total and
individual costs are in progress OF
calculation and will be ready within
few days. Mr. Metcalf said He
had approximate costs estimated at
about 1920 average for each prop
erty owner and total cost about
$4,000. However, the completed
figures may show some variations
from these amounts.
He pointed out that the City
would be materially benefited in
numerous ways should the project
be carried out. 1t would largely
lessen fire hazards and lower insur-
ance rates. 1t would solve diff
cult sanitation situation which
exists along the harbor front by
providing for deep water diAposa OF
sewage which is now dumped in
tidal waters and scattered along the
tide lands underneath structures on
the south side of Front Street.
Cost Is Reasonable
Pointing out that he was inter-
ested only in an abstract manner.
Mr.. Metzgar said the project was
very feasible and certainly can be
done at a cost which is well worth
while" While he had not made
any close study of Mr. Metcalf's
figures ne said the work conld easily
be done within rs or 80 cents per
yard.
He suggested it might be neces-
sary 70 face the seawall with thin
concrete apron to prevent washing
of the fill by surface and drainage