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53 stories matching abut
- The Unruly Puyallup River Threatens the Northern Pacific Bridge
Contractors scramble to hold the line as melting mountain snows turn the river into a destructive force against railway infrastructure.
- A South End Street Would Cost More Than Everything on It Is Worth
Residents of the Sixth Addition want South L Street graded. The city engineer says bridging the Northern Pacific tracks would run $30,000 past the value of the abutting property.
- City Attorney Blocks Olympia’s Columbia Street Assessment
A legal opinion found that street grading and planking done without contracts could not be charged to abutting owners beyond $500—putting more than $2,000 in assessments in doubt.
- After Court Fight, Seattle Tries Again to Bill Yesler Avenue Property Owners
City Engineer Thomson files a new assessment roll for grading Yesler Avenue, shifting $21,053.58 onto abutting owners and $16,762.16 onto the city.
- A Newport Hardware Dealer Takes On the Railroad—and Reaches the State Supreme Court
H. M. Lund's suit asks whether a railroad must pay abutting property owners before running trains down a town street.
- The Supreme Court Halts Seattle's Street Grading
A landmark court ruling forces the city to stop leveling streets unless they pay damages to homeowners.
- Railroad Bridge Collapse Halts Travel
An iron bridge spanning the Crease Creek is lost to a washout, causing significant disruption to traffic.
- New Liquor Licensing Rules in North Yakima
The city council implements a neighborhood-consent requirement for new liquor licenses on major thoroughfares.
- Pike Street Property Owners Foot Most of a $55,000 Paving Bill
The city engineer split the cost of paving Pike Street between Seattle and the abutting owners; the contractor was ready to start work.
- The Railroad's Quiet Footprint
A petition for tide lands reveals the hidden hand of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway preparing for its Tacoma entrance.
- Calispel Votes Again to Hold Back the Water
Property owners back a diking district 31 to 2, setting up a court survey and a railroad partnership to protect lowland farms from overflow.
- Record Flood Devastates Lower Yakima Valley
A catastrophic flood wipes out the recently constructed Richland bridge and isolates valley farmers as the Yakima River surges past its banks.
- City Moves to Protect Water from Clover Creek Pollution
Public Works Commissioner Clark orders the removal of privies and manure heaps threatening Tacoma's water supply.
- The Great Sewer Bond Debate
A convention of the City Council debates the funding of main sewers versus lateral lines, with health and civic honor on the line.
- The Unfinished Dream of Connecting the Lakes
A look at the immense civic benefits of cutting a waterway between Lake Union and Lake Washington.
- Mapping the Waterfront: The Battle for Seattle's Harbors
A critical report by the Chamber of Commerce warns that without a proactive plan for public waterways, the city's future commerce will be throttled by legal gridlock.
- New Council Moves to Oil Kennewick’s Streets
In its first official act, the newly elected city council mandates the improvement of Second Street, sparking a split vote over the fiscal burden on property owners.
- The $300,000 Legal Battle Over Seattle’s Streets
A landmark court decision challenges the city's liability for street grade warrants, threatening to set a precedent for every municipality in the state.
- Railroad Spur Blocked by City Council
Kennewick officials stall a proposed industrial track on Front Street, citing public access rights.
- The Price of Progress: Who Should Pay for City Streets?
Tacoma’s City Council debates whether property owners or the general public should shoulder the cost of local infrastructure improvements.
- The High Cost of Progress in Seattle
Property owners on Pike Street are challenging the city council, arguing that if their land was damaged by regrading, they shouldn't be taxed for the 'benefits' of the improvement.
- Farmer Sues Over Property Washed Away by White River
Nels Hansen claims the town of Auburn's poor construction of a new river channel caused the total loss of his home and barn.
- The Battle Over Sidewalks: When Seattle's Poor Were Forced to Pay for Progress
In 1885, a divided City Council grappled with whether to tax struggling residents for public infrastructure or use the city's general fund.
- Streetcar Ambitions Stalled by Charter Flaw
A bungled provision in the city charter leaves rail companies unable to lay tracks, as no legal mechanism for compensation exists.
- South L Street Improvement Stalled by Resident Remonstrance
Local property owners in the Sixth addition are pushing back against Councilman Christoffersen’s plans for street grading, citing cost and feasibility concerns.