The New York herald., 1869-01-20
WEST SIDE ASSOCIATION.


speedy Completion Of the New Boulevard
Public Improvements-Thc Underground
Railway.
At a meeting OF the West side Association held
last night at the Everett Rooms corner OF Broad
way and Thirtyfourth street, there was Q large
representation Of the property owners Of the west
side. The President OF the association, Mr.. william
A whltbeck, presided. The object Of the meeting
was 10 consider the necessity Of the speedy CON-
pletlon Of projected improvements the west side,
the grade OF the Eighth avenue and the more rapid
transportation Of passengers 10 the upper end OF the
island.
In stating the objects Of the meeting the president
said IN reference to these subjects, that delay In
opening the first section OF the Boulevard had cost
the city and the owners Of property assessed to pay
for this improvement over s20oo,oo0 This he
accounted for on the ground Of the continual rise
in value OF real estate In New York. the right OF
way for the lands. required for this grand avenue,
which could have been obtained In 1896 for
f1,50o,0Oo, costing IN 1868 $3,5o0,000 The extra
s2000000 went into the pockets OF the owners; but
II was less satisfactory 70 them than If they had
received the market value OF their lots two years
ago for the 900 relnvested would have yielded
over s2,oooooo profits. The upper section Of the
Boulevard "a stu to be opened and by the time 1t Is
opened s3,0O0,O0o more-s5.oeo 600 in al-may be
set down 10 the account OF unnecessary delay In the
matter or this Improvement alone. The causes OF
heavy taxation 1t was said, were apparent, and re-
lief was to be had by the speedy opening not only Of
opening Of the Riverside and Nor ningside parks
the park at Washington Point and all the streets
sDs 6s PuSc as wneS nSw ss6s mnst u1
chased and paid for at the market value.
The speedy completion OF ali the pubic improve
ments OF the west side was demanded for
other and higher reasons Recurring TO the Boule-
ward the speaker said that The idea upon which II
was projected was tie extension OF the Park drive
70 as TO embrace Washington Heights and the
elevations a. tne norsnern end OF tne island As yet
movement at all had been made on the Washington
Heights section, the most important portion OF the
work. The present section might become s, great
THIRD avenue are great thoroughfares; but the
great purpose for which the boulevard was de-
sndieSat Il tos ana avSwoSG n neyss Yer
speaker said in referring 10 the subject Of steam
transportation that IN his judgment rapid transpor.
tation ~ steam 10 the upper end o. ine lsand, oy
thc underground RAILROAD or otherwise would not be
had unti the people OF the city In mass take the mat
fef in their own hands and determined, first that no
more franchises for carrying passengers are to De
them In cheap fares; second, that GIL opposition
must cease; tnrd tnat the route selected FOR the
frst road whatever the plan OF its construction,
should he practicable one, either upon broadway
OF 20 II as best 10 accommodate the pubic.
When Tie president had concluded his remarks
Mr. Robert Mafsna offered resolution TO the erect
that the people petition the Legislature. to repeal
provision OF the Tax Levy bill altering the grade OF
Elgnfn avenue, a. n2ed by the Central Park Com
r,en1ra, Burterfield offered resolution requesting
she Executive Committee OF the Association 10 inyite
fbe attention OF the hudson RIVER Railroad Company
10 the great benefits lkcy to follow the construction
of a dCuLln track above ther prescnt track from
ft Joints P4fk TO sruyien ijufVi creek, f0f Nero
poliian travel hy s.tlin FnweF
AssoluljoE ere vDc.sJ requesting lie Lgath