Year: 1871

The project so long Isooted for the open
ing of a public park on CANDLES Hill seems
TO have at last assumed a tangible form.
The following is the unanimous report OF
committee appointed bythe Council to con-
slider the subject. 1t was ordered TO ne ne
printed. and the resolutions appended viii
probably be adopted at the next meeting
without dissent
The list of names, slVs the report, at-
tached to the memorial numDer loZ, ano
ineIude the names of many very large tax
payers, and others occupying. prominent
POSITIONS III the city. Avery few OF them
are personally interested in these improve
ments. inasmuch as their real estate In the
immediate vicinity would be enhanced in
value slightly by the proposed improve
ments, but the far greater number nave no
direct interest In the matter save as citizens
desiring the general Improvement ana
beautifyine of the city, with view to
making 1t desirable place Of residence,
and rendering it attractive to strang gers VINO
visit the metropolis of the State eitner on
business or from curiosity. We therefore
think that these memoriallsts are entltled
to the respectful attention OF the council;


The request contained in the memorial
embraces two suhjects-viz., the improve
ment bv paving depressing q preference
for MacadamiZing the streets and laying
brick sidewaIks) on Sd and 4th streets, be-
tween Canal and Arch, and Arch, between
Cd and 4th streets, and the improvement OF
the property known as Gamble's Hill, with
n view to ornamenting the same and making
il n pleasant as well as popular place OF
resort. We recommend that so much OF
the memorial as relates to the first-uamed
subject be referred to the Committee on
Streets, with instructions to have the work
performed as they think most practicable:


The last-named subject commends itself
to every citizen of Richmond as AN OBJECT
highly desirable, and no question can be
entertained that if the proper steps are
taken CANDLES Hill can be made one OF
the most beautiful places OF resort possess
cd by any city in the United States. The
improvements which the committee would
suggest must necessarily cost great deal
of money, considering the present condi-
tion of the city treasury but If proper
measures are taken, and economy consulted
in every stage of the progress of the work,
the cost of the same may be reduced to
comparatiyely small amount. We further
think that if other improvements which we
propose to make in connection with public
grounds are carried out. th.t the greater
portion Of the money expended will be re-
turned to the city by the sac OF lots after
being improved. -..s


From Information obtained by the City
Engineer, we learn that the city owns all of
the property embraced In the area which is
bounded on the north by Arch street, on
the east by 9TH street, on the west by I'd
street, and on the south by the James River
and Kanawha canal. with the exception of
a small portion occupied by lime-kilns. Or
course the first step towards any improve
ment would be tue purchase, by condem-
nation, Of the land occupied by these kIlns;
and 10 prevent the surrounding from be-
ing unworthy of the Improvements pro-
posed, it would he highly desirable for the
city to obtain possession OF the greater pOr-
ton of the property now known as Peni-
tentiary Bottom, and filling it up across TO
q level with the present height OF I'd
street ut point half way between Byrd
and Arch streets, with gradual slope up
wards TO Canal street. This property can
be purchased comparatively cheap at this
time, and if the filling Of it up should af-
ford q place of deposit for the. earth re-
moved fron Gamble's Hill from the eXca-
vations for foundations and other sources
of comparative chclpnesS fOr two or three
wears 10 come, by the time this is done the
ground on CANDLES Hill would be so far
orbumentcd and embcllished as to make
lots i'm its neighborhood desirable property,
and there would be no difficulty in dispos-
ing of the lots at remuncratlye prices.


This Improvement would nece essarlly make
the property on Oregon Bill more accessi-
BILE, and consequently enhance Its value,
aud indirectly afford increased returns OF
revenue to the city. Whether or not this
ssi1noestiou is adopted, we propose that the
Gamble's Hill property (atter purchasing
the lime-kilnSl shall be so improved by the
following initiatorv work: That the con-
sent Of the James River and Kanawha
Compupyohe obtained to grant the city TO
make n street along the bank Of their canal,
between it aud Candles Hill, extending
from 9TH street. around the base Of the hill,.
lnto2d street by regular grade. This street
should not be less than fifty feet wide,
allowing eight feet for a sidewalk next to
the'hin. This would require the raising OF
The wall along the bank OF the canal oy the
erection of Il brick retaining wall, ana on
the opposite side Of the street another re.
tanning wall should be erected to prevent
the washing down of the bill. This wall
would be the boundary of the grounds to
be improved; and on the inner side of the
the same, row Of trees should be planted
next to the wall, SO as to shade drive of
about 20 feet wide-the eastern and west
.ern ter7,ini Of which would also be 9th and
I'd streets.


form Of a semi. ellpse should extend be-
tween Sd and 4th streets. These two drives
should be narrow, to avoid occupying too
much of the grounds, and collisions OF We
hicles and equestrlans Would De prevented
by the observance OF rules requiring al TO
pass in the same direction.


:. Shade trees can hardly be allowed at any
noint save that indicated above, because
thew would obstruct the view from The
highest point of the grounds, which Will
oIWays form one Of the chief attractions OF
The spot. but shrubbery and vines forming
arbors of different heights can be tasteluliy
arranged between the two drives recon-,
meuded, after the work shall have been ald
out an1 completed by some. competent
landscape gardener. -.


The work which we have proposed TO De
done is about as much as should be done LII
one year, and the rest, we take for granted,
would succeed as a natural consequence:
If this and succeeding Councils should
adopt our suggestions, made ut the request
of citizens for the benefit of the public at
large, we do not think it is expecting too
much Of the citizens of Richmond to show
their appreciation Of the Improvement by
supposing that they would contribute by
private donations enough money to pur-
chase and erect bronze equestrian statue
of one of the distinguished sons Of Vir-
ginia, and call the grounds instead of
"Dark" or "square," "the terrace"
with the addition of the name Of him whom
our citizens shall please to honor as above
suggested.


The following resolutions are offered as
part of this report: :" ~


L. Resolped, That SO much of the memo
rfaJ referred to this committee rs relates to
the Improvement of Sd, 4tb, and Areh
streets. be referred to the Committee on
Streets, with Instructions. to have the I'M
movements made in such manner as 10
tha,,, may seem more suitable.