The Wilmington morning star., 1945-04-12

Engineer Tor 1urtner study.
1t was explained that the side
walk paving contract held by F. D.
Cline, of Raleigh, covers only the
work north of Market street.
Cline was scheduled to commence
work on that section of the City
April l, but was delayed because
of insufficient labor. Work on that
section should get under way to-
day, officials said.
Ordinances providing stop signs
at Fourth and Princess streets and
placing slow signs at Fourth and
Cowan streets were adopted by
the Council.
In connection with the anticipa-
ted improvement of Wrightsville
avenue, Mr.. Nichols pointed out
that about year ago the question
was raised by the Highway De-
partnent as to the widening Of the
avenue to Winter Park with the
suggestion that the City use State
allocated funds to do such work
within the City limits. According
to the City Manager, the State
Highway Department was request
ed to make a survey to determine
what could be done to improve
the avenue "It was only within
the last 30 days that the State
Highway department ever got
around to making this survey" he
said.
In connection with the survey,
several reference stakes were
placed outside the street right-of-
way, some of which were noted in
front yards of residents. This is
what prompted citizens to appeal
to the City council in an effort to
side-track any plans to improve
the street which would result in
the removal of trees along the ave.
nue..
In a statement to representative:
citizens present at the meet.
ing, the City council asserted tina
Wrightsville avenue is an importan
street. 1T is designated highwa,
and ought to be improved, and tn,
city has been considering this sub
ject with the view of obtaining Thu
consent of the State Highway ant
Public Works commission to us,
for such improvement a portion
of State Highway funds allocatet
to the city. Thus, the request TO,
a survey by the State Highwa,
authorities" the statement dis
closed.
1t was pointed out that the City
by surveys and study by the Cit,
Engineer, has ascertained tina
Wrightsville avenue can be re
paved and greatly improved ane
widened an average OF approx
mately three feet without cut
ting and removing the tree.
therefrom." Su h improvement
would provide proper grading ane
more suitable and adequate drain
age, (which is particularly de
sirable at the present time" The
Council pointed out that drainagt
on the avenue is inadequate ane
from time to time too much water
drains toward private property
along the street.
''The Council desires to make
it clear to all citizens of the City
that in making any street improve
ments careful consideration i:
given to all background facts ane
particular attention is given tt
public needs, The public welfare
and the public safety, and that nj
time has the Council advocated
or permitted any street paving
TO be done without taking into
account all of the facts and de
STABILITY Of protecting and pre-
serving trees" the Statement
said.
1t was further pointed out tina
the Council desires to make i
plain that it has not permitted
Or authorized any wanton destruc
ton or removal of trees. and i
regrets that the public is disturb
ed about this matter and tina
some persons without the fact:
have expressed belief that trees
have been wantonly destroyed.
The Council stressed that al
though 81 trees were removed
from within the City limits during
March, because of decay or Other
reasons, there were more thar
1873 trees which had been set ou
by the Park Department since
January l.
Following the report Of the
Council, spokesman for Wrights
vile avenue residents commended
the City Government for its &C
ton in relation to the outlined pro
gram of streets and public works
emphasizing the City's consider
alton in saving as many trees as
possible, and planting additlona
ones wherever feasible.
Speaking on behalf of the peti'
tioning residents, Fred Willetts
of Glen Arden, said ''the City
Council should be commended fol-
lis frankness and fairness in deal
ing with the problem" He asked
if any plans had been made by
the State or County to widen the
avenue from the City limits tc
Wrightsville Beach. He pointed
out that it was important to save
trees along the old Wrightsville
turnpike, as this is considered by
many as one of the most scenic
drives in North Carolina.
The Council replied that they