Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

Real estate record and builders' guide: [v. 95, no. 2460: Articles]: May 8, 1915

Text version:

^A REAL ESTATE utam AND ^> BUILDERS mim. NEW YORK, MAY 8, 1915 iliilllliiillllillillliiillH WAITING FOR WEST SIDE IMPROVEMENTS iiiiiiiii Mayor Mitchel Expects an Early Solution, But the West End Association is Skeptical—Plans For Landscaping ■ iHliillii.....liliiilliliililii A CCORDING to an announcement •**■ by Mayor Mitchel the city is about to conchide preliminary negotiations with the New York Central Railroad Company for an agreement concerning the disposition to be made of the tracks along the West Side waterfront. The outstanding features of the new agree¬ ments differ materially from those in the tentative one arrived at under the previous negotiations, which were car¬ ried on by a committee of the Board of Estimate headed by the present Mayor, and were abruptly terminated when counsel for the West End Association, the Citizens Union and the League to End Death Avenue proved at public hearings that the Terminal Committee was under a misapprehension as to the rights of the railroad company to the lands occupied by its tracks. So much of the plan as relates to tion is skeptical of the consummation of any plan until the New York Central is pleased to proceed. There is now no compulsion in the shape of a time limit to urge the railroad corporation to hurry along. The Boylan bill, which was pre¬ pared by the Law Committee of the West End Association, provided that the Public Service Commission should pre¬ pare a plan for the necessary changes in railroad conditions on the West Side. The West End Association has pro¬ cured most of the legislation by which Riverside Park has been provided and protected. This great public service entitles the association to consideration. Charles L. Craig said this week that the Boylan bill was modeled after the Buffalo Terminals Commission act, wliich is operating to free the streets of Buffalo from the traffic of railroads. The plans when made final were to be approved by the Board of Estimate. That the present Commissioner of Docks and Ferries, Hon. R. A. C. Smith, is not included among those who would destroy the beauty of the park is evident froin an illustrated pamphlet (printed at private expense) which he has cir¬ culated. It is entitled "In Rebuttal." It shows by means of the illustrations the plans which the Commissioner has for landscaping the lands (hitherto under water) which are now being: added to the usable portion of the park. He ex¬ plains the present status of the improve¬ ment and gives assurances of ultimate satisfaction by the public. In Rebuttal. In answer to a criticism that has been directed against the city authorities be¬ cause of the erection of the disposal building at the foot of 77th street, North river, Commissioner Smith says that in order that the present open dump may Copyright by Com. R A C. Sniith. Copyright by Com. R A C. Smitb. Commissioner Smith's plan for a shelter and recreation Plan for the improvement of the new area north of 72d street, structure at foot of 79tb street. ^« ^ ^'■^^r esplanade. THE NEW RIVERSIDE PARK, WHERE LANDS UNDER WATER WILL BE RECLAIMED AND RAILROAD TRACKS ROOFED OVER. The bill also repealed the act of 1887 be discontinued, and to save the city under which the waterfront (twelve ten thousand dollars a year now paid to streets) between 59th and 72d street, has a private corporation mamtaining an been obstructed and public access cut open dump, the engmeers of the Dock ery generally conceded that Riverside Park provides that the rails shall either be covered over or a new road tunneled under the adjacent hill¬ side for the length of the park, down to 59th street or thereabouts; and from that latitude the tracks are to be on an elevated structure to 30th street, and from there southward in a subway. Changes in Plan. The former plan (dated March 27, 1913) provided for a four-track subway from 59th street to 44th street through private property, and from there for an elevated structure to 30th street. Nothing was contained in the former tentative agreement about tunneling Riverside Park as an alternative. It was then planned simply to roof over the tracks where they run through the park lands and extend the parking to the river edge. Whether the proposition to establish a freight yard at Manhattanville will be renewed will not be regularly made known until the Board of Estimate's committee, of which Mr. McAneny is now chairman, makes its report. Inti¬ mations have been given at City Hall that this will soon be forthcoming, but since the defeat of the Boylan bill in the Legislature the West End Associa- off. It IS ve ^ ,. . the act of 1887 is unconstitutional. The bill also repealed the act of 1911 under which the Board of Estimate is no\y car¬ rying on negotiations with the railroad company for a proper disposition of its tracks. Counselor Craig is not sanguine that a solution of the matter can ever be had under the act of 1911. The West End Association has now appointed a special committee to con¬ fer with the railroad and city authorities concerning the plans for landscaping and improving that part of Riverside Park which lies west of the railroad be¬ tween 72d and 129th streets. The legal adoption of such plans will, Mr. Craig says, effectually check the operations of those who are insistent upon destroying that part of Riverside Park and substi¬ tuting railroad yards. The law _ com¬ mittee of the association has just issued an elaborate report upon the whole mat¬ ter. It is contained in an illustrated pamphlet of 90 pages and evinces the years of careful attention which the as¬ sociation has given to protecting the most enjoyable park the city possesses. Department worked out a form of ar¬ tistic structure suitable for refuse dis¬ posal so long as it may be needed for the purpose and then convertible into a shelter. On completion of the changes south of 72d street (to provide a proper dis¬ posal section at or in the neighborhood of 68th street) the building will be va¬ cated by the Street Cleaning Departmeiit and put to the uses for which it is ulti¬ mately intended. "Mothers and children will then find shelter from the summer sun and enjoy the breezes and the river view just as well as those who enjoy them from the Columbia Yacht Club property," says the Commissioner. Commissioner Smith's resignation from the West End Association was an¬ nounced this week. The port of New York has 445 miles of direct waterfront. Boston, Baltimore. Philadelphia, and New Orleans have less than 100 miles. The port of New York has 343 rniles of wharfage, more than London, Liver¬ pool and Hamburg combined.