Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 10

OAKXAND -EVEIflNGr TUESuAY; JULTl 30, The plan of sewage as designed in the report of the. Engineers is in the i opinion of the Board perfectly fair to all portions of the city, and in case of lilE OF PROGRESS. PUBLIC IMPEOVEMENTS PROPOSED. department, supplemented by recent made for the purposes of this investigation, have, enabled, us to define the location and extent of the proposed works with reasonable accuracy -Whenever actual construction shall be inaugurated, detailed surveys must, of course, be made which may suggest -some changes in minor details. We do not think, however, that the resulting changes, if any, will affect, in a material degree, the character or cost of the contemplated ftv works.

With these introductory remarks we proceed at once to the consideration of the first, and, as we believe, the most important subject submitted for our investigation, namely, the subject of sewerage. 5 I. THE SEWER SYSTEM. Upon the accompanying map are delineated the necessary main and inter- cepting sewers required to accommodate the entire sewage of the They are designed of sufficient capacity to meet the requirements of the future, when the territory now embraced within the city limits shall be compactly built upv, and shall contain a possible population of 250,000 or 300,000 inhabitants, and are described as follows Reports of the Engineers and Board of Works. THE ENGINEERS' TOTAL FOOTS DP $1,745,620 A.

The Main Lake Sewer, This sewer was constructed in 1875, and drains, substantially, all that portion' of the city lying north of Twelfth street and west of Lake Merritt Beginning While the Board Goes Them One Better With $2,260,620. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 7o the Honorable, the Council of the City of Oakland Gentlemen The Board of Public Works having under consideration Resolution No. 13,903, referred to them by your honorable body for information as to the probable expenditure necessary for the city to incur in the inauguration issuance of bonds for the building of this sewer system there Js no portion of the city which should feel that its wants have not been carefully considered. i PTJBLia PARKS.

i I The board has given much consideration to the location of a suitable site for a public park in the Fourth ward, and have viewed several blocks that would come under the purview of your resolution, to-wit First The Sather block, bounded by Seventh; street, Myrtle street, Eighth street, and Market street valued at $60,000. Second The Wedderspoon block, bounded by Myrtle street, West Tenth street, Filbert street and Twelfth street, is a beautiful block, and its location admirable. Block valued at $60,000 improvements, $20,000. Total, $80,000. Third The blocks bounded by Fifth and Seventh streets, and by Linden, Chestnut and Adeline streets two blocks, though not strictly within your resolutions, are worthy of mention and consideration.

The condition of the blocks are a disgrace to the city and a menace to the public health, and more especially the Tompkins school. The selection of these blocks and made into a public park would form one of a line of parks on Seventh street, about equidistant from each other, fronting upon the line of the local road and line of public travel, to wit Harrison Park, Jefferson Park, Tompkins Park. Required expenditure about $30,000. Fourth Blocks bounded by Linden, Chestnut and Adeline streets by Twenty-eighth and Thirtieth streets, containing about ten acres of land, now in one enclosure and surrounded with trees, giving it at present a park-like appearance; would be suitable for a park in North Oakland. Required expenditures about $50,000.

SCHOOL SITES. First Half block, bounded by Seventeenth street, Eighteenth street and West street, being 200 feet on West street, by a uniform depth of 150 feet. The Board of Education now owns 100x140 feet on the corner of West street and Seventeenth street. It would, therefore, be advisable to purchase additional ground sufficient to give the necessary dimensions for a school site as above described. Required expenditures about $18,000.

Second Ample and suitable school sites are available about Filbert, Linden and Twenty-eighth streets. Size 200 feet by 150 feet; required expenditure about $10,000. Third A suitable school site can be procured near the corner of Twenty-fourth street and Telegraph avenue, 200 by 150 feet; expenditure required about $15,000. Fourth Ample and suitable school sites are available on Park Avenue, on the Glascock or the Valdez Tract, East Oakland required expenditure about $6,000. Fifth Lots are available for the enlargement of the Harrison street school site; required expenditure about $10,000.

Sixth Lots are available for the enlargement of the Tompkins school site required expenditure about $7,000. Seventh Ample and suitable school sites are available in the annex territory; required expenditure about $9,000. The Board of Public Works would urge upon the Council to favorably consider the respective school sites recommended, as they are well situated and can be purchased cheaper now than at any future period. The valuations mentioned are only estimated. The Board finds it almost impossible without more time to find actual ownership, to secure definite prices.

The valuations respectively named are above rather than below the actual value. ORNAMENTAL IRON BRIDGE. The Board of Public Works, through the courtesy of the Pacific Bridge Company, is enabled to submit to the Council a plan for an ornamental iron bridge across the estuary on the line of Central avenue, to connect Central and East Oakland. The plan of the bridge is made for the full width of the avenue and to extend from Oak street to First avenue. The plan accompanies this report Required expenditure, $100,000.

The total cost of all this work as appear in the figures of the Engineers would be $1,745,620, but from this may be deducted the cost of improving the north arm of the estuary, viz: the sum of $341,312, for at present, the chances of securing this to the city seems to be so remote that it is not necessary to take further time in considering the cost of that improvement. This estimate of $1,754,620 does not include the cost of the different parks or school sites as submitted in the report, which in the aggregate may be safely estimated at $315,000. The whole cost of improvements suggested by the resolution of the Council would not fall short of $2,260,620, summarized as follows: Sewer System 829,063 Merritt Boulevard i9757 West Oakland Park 377. 675 North Arm of Estuary 341,312 Twelfth Street Bridge 00,000 Lands for Public Squares, say 140,000 Lands for School "Sites, say 75,000 New High School Building, say 100,000 West Oakland Marsh Lands, in present condition say 100,000 in the laiee at ueiger street, it runs in a westerly direction along Delger street to San Pablo avenue thence northerly along San Pablo avenqe to Twenty- second street, and thence westerly along Twenty-second street to the shore of San Francisco Bay. From the lake to the east line of Broadway the sewer is constructed of redwood lumber, length 1,074 feet from the east line of Broadway to the west line of Adeline street it is constructed of brick, length 5,585 feet and from the west line, of Adeline street to the shore of the bay it is again constructed of redwood lumber, length 3,265 feet total length 9,924 feet.

The wooden portion is 5 feet by 5 feet in the clear, and the brick portion is 5 feet wide and $4 feet high between the bottom invert and the crown of the arch. The construction of the Main Lake sewer was recommended in 1869 by a Board of Engineers, appointed by the City Council, "to report a plan of street grades and lines, and a system of sewerage," and consisted of G. F. Allardt, Chief Engineer of the State Tide Land Commission (Chairman) Prof. George Davidson, of the United States Coast Survey Colonel George E.

Gray, Chief Engineer of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company Milo Hoadly, formerly Chairman of the San Francisco Board of Engineers, and W. F. Boardman, the City Engineer. In 1875 the City Council decided to begin the construction of the sewer, and to that end appointed a commission consisting of G. F.

Allardt and George C. Potter, civil engineers, T. J. Arnold, City Engineer, and Judge Weston, an intelligent layman, "to definitely fix the route of the sewer, and to prepare detailed plans and specifications for the same, based upon the general plan outlined by the Board of Engineers." In the same year the sewer was constructed in accordance with these plans and specifications, under the direct supervision of City Engineer Arnold (now deceased), a gentleman who, during his lifetime, enjoyed a State-wide reputation in his profession. For economical reasons the commission recommended that only that portion of the sewer which crossed the uplands, and was therefore beneath the surface, be constructed of brick, while the remaining portion running over the unimproved salt marshes should be constructed of redwood.

The sewer has now been in successful operation for fourteen years. Owing, however, to the neglect of the city authorities, a large amount of sand from street washings was allowed some years ago to accumulate in the upper reaches of the sewer, the removal of which entailed considerable expense. A sewer of this importance should be inspected and cleared of deposits, if any have formed, at least once a year. If this is done, its maintenance in effective condition will be attended with but little expense. As the wooden portion of the sewer has now stood for fourteen years, its re moval in the near future becomes necessary.

We recommend that all of the wooden portion, 4,339 lineal feet, be reconstructed of brick also that the sewer be extended, of brick, into the bay, to the line of 3 feet depth at low tide, a distance of about 2,600 feet; making a total length of 6,936 lineal feet of brick sewer to be constructed. B. The Main Creek Sewer. This sewer was likewise recommended by the Board of Engineers above referred to, but its construction has not yet been undertaken. It is designed to drain all of the city lying between Twelfth street and San Antonio estuary, and also to receive the sewage from the intercepting sewers to be constructed along the water-front of East Oakland, ard along the eastern shore of Lake Merritt, both of which will be described further on.

In 1878 the City Council appointed a commission, consisting of S. S. Montague, Chief Engineer of the Central Pacific Railroad Company Julian H. Le Conte, Civil Engineer assistant of the United States Corps of Engineers; G. F.

Allardt, Civil Engineer, and T. W. Morgan, the City Engineer, to prepare and completion of the public improvements referred to in said resolution have proceeded with the investigation with such due diligence as the limited facilities at their command would permit. The matters under consideration being largely of a technical and engineering character, made it necessary, in order that we might submit to the Council the fullest information attainable, and of such a definite and reliable character as to constitute a safe and proper basis for the formulating of plans for public improvements, to call in the assistance of an expert to devise the plans and compute the estimated cost of the works contemplated. As the time of the City Engineer is almost wholly taken up by his many official duties, we felt justified in engaging the services of a consulting engineer to co-operate with the City Engineer in the preparation of the plans and estimates.

Accordingly, we selected for this purpose Mr. George F. Allardt, a civil engineer, long and favorably known on this coast, and who was also a member of the several boards of engineers who, in former years, designed and inaugurated our present system of public works. The report of the engineers is herewith submitted, and is commended to your thoughtful consideration. The magnitude of the interests involved, the large expenditure of money proposed, and the importance of procuring reliable data has seemed to us to justify a much longer delay in perfecting this report than was probably anticipated by the members of the Council or of this Board.

We respectfully invite your attention to plans and estimated cost of the sewerage system herein proposed, the same being a careful estimate made at your suggestion, and pursuant to the provisions, of Section 105 of the City Charter, not only of the intercepting sewers, but upon the general sewerage question. Your resolution called only for an estimate of the cost of an intercepting sewer extending from the eastern boundary line to the deep waters of San Francisco and the cost of the reconstruction of the main lake sewer across the western marshes of the city, and its extension to deep water in San Francisco bay." This has been done, but in order to complete the system, we have thonght proper to furnish also the cost of the necessary intercepting sewers around Lake Merritt and along the shore of the bay on the western boundary of the city. A detailed description of the route and dimensions of these sewers may be found in the Engineer's report. There appears to exixt a great diversity of opinion among civil engineers regarding the proper plan of sewering a city and a large number of suggestions, more or less wohy of consideration, have been made to this Board by engineers of good standing. Some claim that the construction of the Main Creek sewer, so called, would be a useless expense, and that all the sewage for the territory Vl Vl conrttl r1o! vm-V4- -V fifKfii-c? definite plans and specifications for the actual construction of the sewer.

The commission, after a careful studv of the subiecL submitted a detailed renort which was filed in the City Clerk's office, while the maps, profiles and estimates 3 accompanying the report were hied in the City Engineer's office. No further action, however, was taken in the matter by the city authorities. The route recommended by said commission was as follows Beginning at point in Lake Merritt near the intersection of twelfth and rallon streets 1 thence southerly along the center line of Fallon street to the southerly line of Sixth street thence curving to the right on a curve of 200 feet radius, 161 feet; thence southwesterly 478 feet to a point near the northwest corner of Fourth and Oak streets thence curving to the right on a curve of 100 feet radius, 66 feet thence westerly in Fourth street, 204 feet thence curving to the left on a curve of 100 fqet radius, 129 feet to a point in Madison street thence southerly in Madison street, 106 feet thence curving to the right on a curve to a point in the center line of Third street, dis- of 100 feet radius, i4o4 feet street thence westerly along the center line of tant 7 1 feet west of Madison Third street, 4,774.44 feet, to a point near the east line of Market street thence curving to the left on a curve of 5 40 feet radius, 07. 1 -i feet to a point 11 uiuu mat av.rrtx uutu uiaiu uugui lu manual gcu uiivs int. ijiuai vyiuvio claim that the discharge of the sewage into the Estuary would be detrimental to the publie health, the danger augmenting as the city increases in population.

Those who favor a Main Creek sewer differ as to the size it ought to be, and of what material constructed. Every size from a 24-inch iron stone pipe sewer, to one constructed of brick five feet in diameter has its advocates and in this, we may add, engineers do not come any nearer to an agreement than laymen. As far as we are at present advised, the system herein proposed appears to us effective and destined to satisfy all sanitary requirements. Before proceeding to actual construction, however, we would respectfully recommend the Council to authorize the appointment of a commission of engineers, distinguished for their knowledge of the subject, to examine the plans submitted, and to make such changes, if any, as they may deem advisable. A prominent feature in the present, as well as in the proposed sewer system, is the flushing of the main sewers by the impounded waters of Lake Merrit; its conservation, therefore, is of vital importance.

As shown by a comparison of soundings made in 187 1 with soundings made at the present time, the final filling up of the lake is a mere question of time. It is estimated that in 25 or 30 years the lake will be dry. As explained in the Engineer's report, the dredging of the lake will result, practically, in furnishing the foundation for the proposed boulevard. After the lake has been dredged, the construction of the boulevard will be a mere question of the additional cost of the superstructure. In case the north arm of the estuary is ceded to the city, the cost of the boulevard will, of course, be largely augmented.

The specifications for the construction of the boulevard suggested in the Engineer's report are merely preliminary, and assumed for the purpose of having a definite basis upon which to estimate the cost The final alignment and character of the superstructure are subjects for future determination. The waters of Lake Meritt are now used for flushing the Main Lake Sewer, and it does not seem feasible to the Board to make any change in this plan, so far at least as that sewer is concerned, although other plans have been suggested. If the system is finally adopted which will make Lake Merritt a flushing basin for the contemplated Main Creek Sewer also, it then becomes absolutely necs-sary to have the lake dredged so that the water in the lake will be at least four or five feet deep. Indeed, aside from its value as a flushing basin, it becomes absolutely necessary as a sanitary measure that the lake be dredged so that in either event, the dredging of the lake is a necessity, and in the opinion of the Board as much demanded as the actual construction of the sewer. So closely is Lake Merritt connected with the general system of sewerage for the city, as to be considered a part of it, and we recommend that the development of this great water basin for that purpose, and as a sanitary measure, be considered as a portion of the necessary cost for the construction of the general sewer system for the City of Oakland.

The estimate of $50,400, for the dredging of the lake, is made upon the basis that there should be some convenient place in which to deposit the debris taken from the and there seems to be no other way to secure a convenient dumping ground except by building the stone embankment or bulkhead as indicated in the Engineer's report. This embankment would serve the double purpose of holding in place the material dredged from the lake, and of forming a permanent retaining wall for the proposed boulevard. Any other dumping ground would, of course, increase the cost of dredging the lake. While it may not be necessary to have the bulkhead extend all the way round the lake, as indicated in the Engineer's plan, yet we would recommend the building of the stone bulkhead around such portion of the lake as would be necessary in, case the boulevard may hereafter be constructed and embellished. The present area of the lake is about 165 acres.

The construction of a boule Total $2,260,620 But here we are reminded that the City can not issue bonds for more than five per cent, of the assessed valuation of all property. This would amount to $1,750,000, and as we already have bonds issued for $397,000, we can only raise by the issuance of bonds the sum of $1,353,000. Besides, there are other matters of importance which do not strictly come within the purview of this report as called for in the resolutions, yet should not be lost sight of at this time, while we are considering what would be the best for the city in the way of expenditure of money, and for this reason the Board at this time desires to call the attention of the Council to them. 4 First Outside of the sewerage question, we believe there is no more important question before the Council to-day than that of the matter of opening up the streets lying between Market and Harrison streets out to deep water, and the securing of better wharf accommodations for the city. Second The matter of securing some means of watering the streets of Oakland by salt water, which, we believe, if once properly established, would be a matter of no small saving to the city.

Third The question of the city securing its own electrical plant for the purpose of furnishing light. These matters are mentioned because it is plainly evident that the city cannot issue bonds for the aggregate amount required for the improvements which have been suggested, and we believe that those in charge of public affairs should carefully consider the wants of the city and expend the money only where most needed. Finally, we would recommend First That the Council take such action as may be necessary to immediately enable those in authority to construct some adequate system of sewerage for this city. This we believe all-important and deserving of first consideration. Second We would recommend next that the reclamation of the marsh land at Sixteenth street be considered, and some means taken to change this territory from its present condition.

After these two measures, which are necessary'as sanitary improvements, have been carried out to completion, it is to be hoped that the city will be able to proceed with the other improvements suggested in the order of their recognized merits. The Board of Public Works fully recognizes the importance and extent of the measure contemplated, as recommended in this report, and are in active sympathy with all reasonable demands for public improvement. We deem it our duty to co-operate with the Council in laying the foundation to complete all such important public measures, and desire further to state that we are ever ready and willing to co-operate with the City Council in any matter looking to the welfare of the City of Oakland. Respectfully submitted, J. WEST MARTIN, E.

W. PLAYTER, R. M. FITZGERALD, Comrnissioners of Public Works. near the west line of Market street thence continuing along the center line of Third street, 4,747.75 feet to a point near Peralta street thence curving to the left on a curve of 200 feet radius, 153.21 feet to a point near the westerly line of Peralta street thence southwesterly, in a straight line, 1,643.25 feet to a point near the shore line of San Francisco bay thence curving to the left on a curve of 200 feet radius, 52 feet to a point in said bay; and thence southwesterly, in a straight line in said bay, 3,146 feet to the north training wall, distant about 1,400 feet easterly from the inner beacon light The sewer to be of brick, circular in section, and 5 feet in diameter.

A change of route from Third street to Second street has since been advo- -cated by some property owners on Third street. As Second street is not opened between Market and Peralta streets, the change of route would necessitate the purchase or condemnation of a strip of land 4,870 feet in length and 25 feet in width. Moreover, on Seeond street the line will encounter about 600 feet more of salt marsh, which would add about $6,000 to the cost of the sewer for pile foundations. For these and other valid reasons we are not prepared to endorse the proposed change of route. The commission, at the time, recommended thatall of the sewerwestof Adeline street be constructed of wood.

While this would reduce the first cost, it would be false economy in the long run. If sufficient funds shall be available, we would recommend that the entire sewer be constructed of brick, and -we have made our estimate of cost accordingly. C. The East Oakland Sewer. This will be an intercepting sewer intended to accommodate all that part of East Oakland lying easterly of the dividing ridge between Fourth and Seventh avenues, and embracing an area of 1,615 acres.

Its initial point is on the water front at the most easterly point of the city limits thence running westerly along or near the water front, to the north arm of the estuary, thence northerly along the eastern shore of the north arm to Twelfth street, thence across the estuary to the Main Creek sewer; length, 14,400 feet Its diameter at the initial point will be 18 inches? increasing three inches at every 2,400 feet, so that its diameter at its junction with the Main Creek sewer will be 36 inches. CFall, two feet per mile. D. The East Lake Sewer. An intercepting sewer round the east arm and along the east shore of Lake Merritt, to receive all the sewage from the drainage areas of Indian Gulch and -of the creek running down Pleasant Valley avenue; comprising an area of 1.

2,466 acres. It will begin at or near Adams Point, thence northeasterly' feet, along the west shore of the east arm of Lake Merritt to its 5 southerly 5,100 feet, along the east shore of the lake to the Twelfth street ENGINEERS' REPORT. vard around the entire shore line, of the width of 150 feet, taken almost wholly lrom the water area, as delineated upon the Engineer's map accompanying their report, would reduce the size of the lake from 165 acres to 125 acres. The next most important question, almost equal io magnitude to the improvement of Lake Merritt, is the reclamation of that territory in the First Ward now below the official grade, and but a short distance removed from the most densely populated districts estimated to contain 188 acres of salt marsh land. As A Sanitarv measure.

indent'nHpnt rf antr rfVfr pnnciontinn fc rprlTTnitinn and improvement seem to, be In the Engineer's 1 report it is recommended that the part lying between Adeline and Peralta streets be filled with rood ettSh to the official grade, and that the Dart between Peralta street wnere 11 win join me rast vjaiciana sewer, arm inrougn wiu uiscoargc us 1 sewage into the Main Creek sewer; length, 8,000 feet To be 1 inches in 1 diameter, between its initial point and the head of the east arm; thence 20 inches in diameter for 2,000 feet, and thence 24 inches in diameter to its I terminus. Fall, six feet per mile E. The North Lake Sewer. An intercepting sewer around the west arm of Lake Merritt intended to intercept the sewage from the drainage area tributary to the creek entering the west arm of the lake, area 1,781 acres; beginning at or near Adams Point, thence northerly along the east shore of Ihe west arm, 2,300 feet to its head thence southerly along the west shoreof the same, 1,100 feet to the Main Lake sewer; length, 3,400 feet Diameter, 12 inches from its beginning to the head of the west arm, thence 24 inches to its terminus. Fall, six feet per mile.

F. The West Lake Sewer. An intercepting sewer, where not already laid, along the western shore cf Lake Merritt between the Main Lake sewer and the Main Creek sewer. Lerh, feet; diameter, 12 inches. The Honorable Board of Public Works of the City of Oakland In accordance with your instructions, we have carefully investigated the following subjects, viz: First, A general system of main and inter- -cepting sewers for the entire city; second, the proposed boulevard around Lake Merritt; third, the proposed park in West Oakland; and fourth, the con- templated improvement of the North Ann of the Estuary of San Antonio and now beg leave! to submit our report, together with plans, specifications, and estimates of cost of the works, and such suggestions and recommendations as appeared to us useful and proper in the premises.

We have prepared an accurate map of the entire city, extending from Fruit Vale to ShirVs channel, drawn on a scale of 400 feet to the inch, which map accompanies' this report. Upon it are shown the lines and official grades of the streets, the location and size of the existing sewers and of the proposed sewers, the depth of water in Lake Merritt and the estuary, and in San Fran- cisco Bay out to the three fathom line, as well as all matters necessary for a clear understanding of the improvements under The limited time at our disposal did not admit of entering into such minute details as might be desired, yet the copious data on file in the City Engineer's and the railroad be simply reclaimed and converted into a meadow capable of being subsequently embeUshed as a park. The plan appears to us feasible and worthy jpC your careful consideration. I 1 This tract can be further improved in another way, viz: Creating a tidal lake in the' center' and utilizing whatever earth may result from the excavation for raising the balance of the tract to the official grade. This would possibly be less expensive than filling the whole tract; and I afford a boating place and pleasure ground for the residents of this portion of the city; and in the opinion of the Board would tend as much to beautify the park as any other method of 'mprovements..