Chapter 613. to authorize the acquisition of certain parcels of real estate embraced in square numbered three hundred and twenty-three of the city of Washington, to provide an eligible site for a city post office
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CHAP. 613.— An Act to authorize the acquisition of certain parcels of real estate embraced in square numbered three hundred and twenty-three of the city of Washington, to provide an eligible site for a city post office.June 25, 1890. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Washington, D. C.Public building, etc. Site. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed to acquire for the purpose, and in the manner, hereinafter provided the real estate Location, square 323.embraced in square numbered three hundred and twenty-three, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue on the north, C street on the south.
Eleventh street on Appropriation.the east, and twelfth street on the west, and a sum of money sufficient to pay for said square three hundred and Twenty-three, in the manner hereinafter provided, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated; and the said Building.Secretary is instructed to cause to be erected upon said square a commodious and substantial building, with fireproof vaults, Use, as post-office, etc.heating and ventilating apparatus, elevators and approaches, for use as. a United States post-office for said city, and for other governmental Maximum cost.*Post*, p. 418.Certain lots, etc., to be purchased.purposes, the cost of the said building not to exceed eight hundred thousand dollars.
Sec. 2. That the said Secretary be, and he is hereby, empowered and directed to purchase of the real estate comprised in the said square the following parcels, to wit; part of lot one, consisting of one thousand four hundred and forty square feet, part of lot two. consisting of three thousand four hundred and three square feet, all of lot three,, consisting of four thousand and eight square feet ail of lot four, consisting of three thousand seven hundred and fifty square feet, all of lot five, consisting of three thousand five hundred and sixty-five square feet, all of lot six, consisting of five thousand four hundred and two square feet, part of lot seven, consisting of two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven square feet, and part of lot nine, consisting of one thousand eight hundred square feet, making all together twenty-five thousand’ seven hundred and forty-five square Maximum price per square foot.*Ante*, p. 413.feet, at a price not exceeding ten dollars and fifty cents per square foot, as proposed by a certain offer in writing by the owners or agents thereof, bearing date the twenty-second day of May, eighteen hundred and ninety, and addressed to the committees on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Senate and House of Representatives, and signed Chas.
C. Duncanson, the original of which was filed with the Secretary of the Treasury on .the seventh day of June anno Domini eighteen hundred and ninety, and where any of the said Condemnation in default of valid title.owners or agents may be unable for any reason to vest by voluntary conveyance a complete and valid title to any parcel or tract hereinbefore described, as proposed in said offer, then the same shall be condemned, in the manner hereinafter provided. Sec. 3. Remainder of square to be acquired, etc.
That the said Secretary is authorized and directed to acquire the remaining parcels of realestate in the said square by negotiation, Title.Maximum price.so far as such parcels may be so acquired, and title thereto secured, at a price not above the fair relative value of the same as to other FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Sess. I. Chs. 613, 614. 1890.175 parcels acquired by agreement; and the said Secretary is authorized and directed in case he can not acquire the said parcels, or any parcels of land required in said square, by negotiation as hereinbefore provided, to acquire the same by condemnation, and for that purpose heCondemnation, on failure of negotiation.Condemnatory procedure.Petition for appraisal. is authorized and directed to make application to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, by petition, at a General or Special Term of said court, for an assessment of the value of such parcels, and said petition shall contain a particular description of the property required, with the name of the owner or owners thereof, and his, her or their residence, as far as the same can be ascertained, and the said court is hereby authorized and required upon such application, without delay, to notify the owners and occupants of each such parcel,Notification to owners.Appointment of Commissioners.Ascertainment of values. and to ascertain and assess the value of the same, by appointing three commissioners to appraise the values thereof, and to return the assessment to the court, and when the values of such parcels are thus ascertained, and the President shall deem the same reasonable, the sum or sums so ascertained shall be paid to the owner or owners, orPayment. into said court for their use.
Sec. 4. That the fee simple of all premises so appropriated for publicTitle to vest Id United States. use under the provisions hereof, and of which an appraisement shall have been made under the order and direction of said court, shall upon payment to the owner or owners thereof, or into the said court as aforesaid, of the amount so ascertained and assessed as to each parcel, be thereupon vested fully in the United States, and the right of possession thereof. Sec. 5. That the said court may direct the time and manner inPossession. which possession of the property condemned shall be taken or delivered. and may, if necessary, enforce any order or issue any processProcess. for giving possession.
The cost occasioned by the inquiry and assessmentCost of assessment,, etc.Other costs. shall be paid by the United States; and as to other costs which may arise, they shall be charged or taxed as the court may direct. Sec. 6. That whenever, and as, title to the several parcels of suchTime and manner of payments of purchase and condemnation prices. real estate shall be acquired as aforesaid, and the same shall be ready for delivery, and the sufficiency thereof shall be certified by the Attorney General of the United States, or whenever by condemnation of any parcel the fair value of the same shall be ascertained, the Treasurer of the United States is hereby authorized and directed, upon the requisition of the said Secretary, to pay the purchase, or into court the condemnation, price, of such property, parcel by parcel.
” Approved, June 25, 1890.