Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-09
MICHIGAN AVENUE
WADUCT SURVEYS
STARTED BY HAzEN
Work to Determine Definite
Location of Span Over
Tracks.
$500, 900 PROVIDED
IN FISCAL MEASURE
Bill for Acquiring More Land to
Be Amended in Regard to
Street Closings,

Surveys for the proposed viaduct over
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks in
! Brookland, which will eliminate the
Michigan avenue grade crossing were
started today under the direction of
Melvin C. Hazen, District surveyor.
The definite location of the viaduct
will be fixed as a result of the surveys.
Mr.. HaZen also plans to estimate for
the Commissioners the value of the land
and the improvements that will have to
be condemned to make way for the
over pass. He believes the figures will
be in excess of 100000.
The surveys were ordered simultane-
ously with the passage by the Senate of
the Districts 1881 appropriation bill,
elimination of the Michigan avenue
grade crossing. Mr.. Hazen indicated
that the viaduct would be located north
of the present grade crossing, thus
making a more direct connection with
Michigan avenue and eliminating sew
eral curves in the roadway in the
vicinity of the railroad tracks.
Land Purchase Plan.
Mr.. Hazen also disclosed that through
a compromise between District officials
and representatives of the Department
of Commerce amendments would be
sought to bill pending in Congress
authorizing the acquisition of addi-
tional land for the Bureau of Standards.
which will prevent the closing of Van
Ness and Tilden streets and Reno road.
Provisions in the bill which would per-
nit the Federal Government to close
these thoroughfares were opposed by
Mr.. Hazen.
Particular objection was raised by
Mr.. HaZen to the closing of Van Ness
street, one of the major east and west
highways in the vicinity of Cleveland
Park. The street was dedicated prior to
the acquisition of land on either side
by the Bureau of Standards, the sur
veyor pointed out and steps we're re-
Gently taken TO condemn land to pro-
vide for the opening of the thorough
fare for the entire two miles between
Connecticut avenue and Wisconsin ave-
nue. The verdict in this condemna-
ton case already has been confirmed,
and assessments for benefits levied on
the theory that the street would be
opened between the two avenues.
In view of the recent court decision
in the case of assessments for benefits
for the opening of Lamont street, in
which property owners claimed they
were entitled to refund of assessments
physically open the street, Mr.. HaZen
said it might be claimed that the as
sessment for benefits in the Van Ness
street case would be illegal by reason
of the closing of the street altogether,
thus precluding the possibility of it
ever being opened.
Property Not Restricted.
The bill authorizing the acquisition
~ 1E
Standards, Mr.. Hazen EXPLAINED, does
not restrict the limits of the property
to be acquired and leaves entirely in
the hands of the Secretary of Com
merce the discretion as to the closing
of streets over any territory he may
include within the boundaries of the
Bureau of Standards. Moreover, he de-
clared, the bill provides for no other
access to abutting property or streets
dead-ended by an enlargement Of the
Bureau of Standards site.
Mr.. Hazen has asked the Commits
sioners to institute condemnation pro-
ceedings for the opening of Garrison
street between Thirty-ninth and
Fortieth streets in order to complete
the highway plan In this section.
One private home and several florists
hot houses having a total estimated
value of approximately $4,000 would
be RACED to make way for the street.
Steps also have been taken by Mr..
Hazen to widen Ellicott street and
Forty-second street in the vicinity of
wisconsin avenue. Property necessary
for the widening was recently con-
demned, the jury awarding damages
amounting to $32,385, and assessing
$12,250 against AUDITING property for
benefits. The District will bear the
balance.