The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-21


TWENTY fourth STREET, N Y, Feb. Q, 1859.
Noticed in your paper OF the 9th instant article
on the subject Of real estate speculation around the Gen
trail Park and was much impressed with the truth Of
had eviousy been surprised at the enormous prices
which is reported in the newspapers that vacant lots
had brought on the h and Eighth avenues and the
streets near Central Park, from Fifty ninth 10 lo6th
street.
Il Is well known that the region Of ground from Fourth
to Ninth avenue and from Fifty fourth street to Harlem
at present the most unhealthy part Of Manhattan Island
person acclimated live there three successive
months without having the fever and ague. The land
either twenty feet low high ridge Of rock with some
few exceptions and to fetch the land into proper state
for parties to live will take at least ten years.
and that at expense of over thousand dollars
lot for opening, regulating, grading, Tagging
ing the streets and avenues and in cases consdera
BILE more where the lots fifteen twenty feet below
the grade fifteen twenty feet Of rock on them and
are paying high prices for those lots as if
the park was made and the lots ready to be improved next
year.
only calculate the cost Of them, at present prices
years from now, with the taxes and assessments which
must accrue on them they would probably hesitate but
they go on buying IN anticipation of greater their
value, until like the lots around the Crystal Palace
1862 they will find it all bubble, and they will have to
sell out at hundred per cent loss many of the unfor
nate did then.
have been speaking of the lots around the Central
Park as if the park to be all that its advocates claim
and expect it TO be, and that when 1t is finished,
and the roads and avenues made to it, that it
will be delightful place for residence am Of
different impression think it will be a dangerous
locality for any person to live in for a number of years.
or at least till large population grows up it,
city now is and has been for time ruled by the fast
men, the police afraid of them they elect our mags
traes and do and act as they please. Our young
growing up TO great extent initiate them-to the best Of
their ability and those and than those the prin
our citizens toe intent upon business spend much
time about such matters, and should not be surprised
in the course Of few years the sober second thoughts Of
our citizens will not compel them to adopt
10 crail, If not abolish this park. Look at any of our
small parks even Dowt is almost impossible for the po
lice to preserve order or decorum after sunset.
If the park is made such pleasure ground its avo
Gates think, is doubtful at the end of the time, say
seven or eight years, whether the lots around IL
wil be worth what they are now selling for
years ago were selling for five six hundred dollars
each and are now worth many thousands. IF lots
SIXTH Ftyseventh, Fifty and Fifty. ninth
streets were now selling for four five hundred dollars
EACH there would be some comparison but the price
asked for lot there is the price which ought to be
sold for when the Park is finished, and parties ready TO
improve IL.
cannot how lots on Central Park can be improved
in less than eight or ten years. and If they the houses
will not be occupied person will risk his health 10
live in neghborhood where fever and ague abounds
and until all the streets and opened regula
ed drained and paved and the stagnant pools filed up
fever and ague must prevail.
In speaking Of the healthy spots the island you
ton Fort Washington and other places have doubt
that all the upper part of the island west Of Broadway
BoOmugdale road from Sixeth SEVENTEEN street TO
ManhattaDvle, perfectly healthy The nature Of the
soil good and the ground and far easily
improved or built upon than the ground around Central
Park, and nothing be finer than the views OF some
those sites the Hudson rverthey surpass anything
The Central Park and believe that lots be bought
within this range for third OF the price Of lots around
Central Park and in my opinion, they worth the price
Of lots in that locality. j. W.