New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-10
COMMITTEE ON STREETS.

The Committee on Streets, of the Board of Coun-
cilmeD met again yesterday afternoon - hear parties
for and again.t the proposed widening OF keade
street and other projected street improvements III the
Third and Fifth Wards.
Mr.. CHAs. n. Nor supported the opening OF Reade
street. The question not whether the assessment
was lust or unjust but whether the Improvement
might judciously be deferred for one year. The ma
iory Of the rtyowners favored the widening OF
Reade street. The widened street would be hled
with splendid stores, and he hoped the Improvement
would be carried out.
Mr.. A. HALL not opposed to street widening
bu. he hoped that the propertYowners on the I'm
proved street would be assessed for the improvement
He owned lot % by l04 feet, corner Of Chambers
AID Washington streets, and had been assessed wv
for this improvement OF Reade street. The widening
OF Reade street would BE- injury instead OF 0enent
to his property, inasmuch as It would create COM
peting business street next 10 Chambers street. lie
therefore favored the delay.
Mr.. A. p. M,Us exhibited maps OF the properly
assessed for the improvement, together with a
schedule of awards on the north side of Reade street.
Mr.. A. 7. STEWART said the question of awards and
assessments irrelevant that was subject to the
decision of the Supreme Court. The business OF tue
Committee merely to inquire into the e1pediency
of delay. He wished the improvement, 10 90 Oh d.
once.
Mr. M.uS wished 10 show that awards had ben
made in some instances when prices were much hig,eI5
than they now, and therefore the awards neeued
revision and correction. He read an affidavit ron
OF The awards property owners whose property 70 20
be taken, and argued that the awsrcs were excessive
and therefore imposed too Onerous tax upon
property, Which, it wac supposed would be indi1ecy
benefited, while most OF the property 20 wheh yam
ages were awarded would be benefited by The opening
rather than sustain any damage. Mr.. Lafarge, who5s
lot which is 90 feet the northwest corner OF b!Vau
way, by 1870 feet Reade street, will be dInhlheu
- fee Cd Broadway for the street OPENING has
awarded 81 70, 900 damages This he Maun) thought,
was far too much. Mr.. Lafarge, he thought coulo
afford ose that portion Of his lot in return ior INC
benefit which the Improvement would confer. s %
M STEWART said tha: two year. ago ne wsn'.u ~
buy tina: lot but a. Lsfarge asked $50OO for II ne
did not purchase it. He would no; say now mucn n'
thought il worth. 49,,
Mr.. BLAscKxAs stated that Mr.. Lafarge derived
$43 900 year rent from his premises.
hr. STEWART said he had bought properly TS
Re ade street, expecting that this improvement Woao
90 through. If il went through, he was prepare ~
put up three large stores on the north SIDE OF
street. betvee Church street and West blodu"y'
He urged the carrying out Of the improvement, vo
cause Il would afford work to the poor and ensoe TIC
city 10 raise-what it so much needed-more !sAeSS
Mr.. HAUS then presented a remonstrance, ~
200 property owners in Resde and sdJsc,n' -. 80,
who are assessed for the street opening. ne eo Pr
sented precedents 10 show that property ID ,
eLal with street. 20 BE- widened and EXTENDED, ;,I
assessed for purely local improvement M
benefit like the contemplated in Resde Ia;
br. J. hAssFIrLD DAVE opposed inc ana ,5'
on the ground that il was now iDenp"uien- IL
necessary nasmuch as there were more s,o'es " ene
vicinity than were required. A. The present ne ~,
there little or ready money 20 be hsu Su 80
property-owners we're ready TO build, or coa.d anora
TO- or to psy assessments for street
year hence wien he money narke; pic .ll' 80
IT would De, perhaps, proper enough to carry ou' 'he
improvement. pa,.....
FIR. W. NJ BLIss had bull, store u hsaas ,tssr.
% feet back from the line Of the street - -
the Improvement would 60 through. IL . .,, u
serious los 20 him II .he improve Dent - s.oPp
gentleman who owned properly ID Jay 49,. %,
i-ctsd 10 being ssed for improving P.oS'r, ~
~ rsyrr $40 Coo f5r.he 64s..r-s.sa)yed 10 Relle
s.raf,