The New York herald., 1871-12-17
EIGH II AVENUE IMP ROvEMENT.

Nut for the Park Commissioners to Crack
Trouble in ~tore Tor the Eighth Avenue
Railroad Company M citing OF the Property
Owners.
preliminary meeting OF the owners OF property
on that portion OF Eighth avenue which forms the
western boundary OF the Central Park was held yes
terday afternoon three O'Clock, at the Offices Of
Mr. John McClave, real estate agent, No. A Pine
street. to consider some suggestions regarding
the Improvement OF the neighbornood. The chair
was occupied by Mr.. J. W. Prison. who explained
the object OF the meeting.
1t appears according to the chairman, that on all
such avenues and streets OF hundred feet width
there is allowed fifteen feet for courtyard space and
fifteen for sidewalk, at each side. This gives the
Park sides Of Eighth and Filth avenues, which have
no need OF courtyards st0ops or area ways side
walks OF the almost
wAs1EFUL AND UNNECESSARY WIDTH
Of thirty iee clear leaving only forty feet for road
ways. On Fifth avenue side this makes little or
difference, the forty feet OF roadway being quite
suflicient for q good carriage drive, which is so
desirable and even necessary to the respecta-
bility and good social standing OF the neignbor-
hood, and therefore calculated to enhance the
vaue OF the property therein. The roadway on the
Eighth avenue side or the Park, however, Is now
occupied by the track of tine Eighth Avenue Rail-
road, leaving no room OF any account for an ordi-
nary drive, and, sucn as 1t is, there would be no
possibility Tor carriage to stop before door so as
to allow sufficient space between 1t aud the railroad
track for passing vehicles The property owners de-
sire to remedy this stale OF things.
Mr.. McClave was anxious that the Park Commits.
s0ners In whose hands the power rests IN this
matter should consent to throw lteen OF the thirty
feet or sidewalk adjoining the Park into the road
THE RAILROAD COMPANY
should move their track over on the space thus ac-
Quired leaving the present forty feet OF roadway
clear Tor carriage drive. petition TO this effect
was presented in January last to the Board OF Park
Commissioners, showing that no harm could accrue
to the Park II the petitioners request were granted;
tnas IN snas case aSS COSTLY ana Deauan tn op
surroundings, would have been Immediately
erected and several other advantages to ali parties
Park Commissioners OF tnar day. however.
paid no attention to tne petition, and
several blocks OF good property still unoccupied
with magnificent houses, whose beauty and prOx-
proved prove the he whole district Mr. McCave felt quite
sure, however, tnat the
PRESENT PARK COMMISSION
or any other by which the next Legislature may
supersede 1t, would be likely TO nay more atten-
tion to the Interests OF New York property holders
tnan the last one did. In any case commissioners
do not generally pay much attention to petitions,
and the only effective plan. therefore, was Tor the
property owners To organize themselves ana take
acton. IL was Tor THIS purpose the present informal
meeting was called.
Mr.. Olmstead dawyer, firm of Tracy Olmstead),
from Eighth avenue. lie gave various reasons
showing why this would benefit even the railroad
company. He SAID the constitution OF 1ss6 en-
powered the Legislature TO compel the railroad
companies to yield thus In certain cases To
THE SPIRIT OF IMPROVEMENT,
and he felt confident OF being able TO induce the
next Legislature to exercise their powers in tnat re-
gard. Mr.. Olmstead also urged the desirability OF
opening direct communication between the upper
end OF Eighth avenue and the Broadway boulevard,
thus making a thoroughiare anu beautiful drive Of
that portion OF Eighth avenue adjoining
even more desirable and valuable, on ac-
count OF Its eastern aspect and Tor other reasons,
than the corresponding portion OF Fifth avenue.
Now was the time to go TO work, Tor the ElRntn
avenue was about to be newly graded IL would
also be OF great advantage TO have the long and IN
elegant designations of that and other neghborlng
streets changed TO shorter, distinct and somewhat
more
EuPHONIOUS NAMES.
Mr.. Olmstead's remarks were long, clear ana
comprehensive, and were listened To with great IN
terest by the property holders VINO were present
Aiter some desuitory conversation II was decided
to appoint committee for the purpose OF calling
large regular meeting OF the Interested prof ery
owners Tne committee appointed were Messrs.
Olmsread, McClave, vyse and W. X. Martin, 10
which Mr.. Prison, the chairman was added eL
oDicio. Inc meeting then adjourned to the can OF