The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-01
THE NORTHERN BOULEVARD.
An Artery of Our Great Thoroughfare
from the Battery to Spuyten DuyVi.
A Bill introduced in the Legislature Virtually
Annulling lis Construction.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT.

Our citys great prosperity may he Justly ascribed
TO the remodellng Of our old and the laying out OF
our new streets in such manner that by continu-
GUS route the upper part OF the island may readily
reached without being compelled TO pursue zig
gag direction. To effect such purpose the Broad
way Boulevard was projected and completed, run
ming northward rom Fiftyninth to 165th street.
The rapidly increasing population up town and
the enhanced value OF real estate at and In the
vicinity OF washington heights has made 1t neces-
sary TO connect the Broadway Boulevard with
another equally grand drive which IL to form the
outlet OF this celebrated throughare at the extreme
north end the metropolis. In order TO accomplish
this result q bill was passed IN the Legislature
during the session of Is71-72, empowering the
Judges Of the Supreme Court to appoint commits
sion to make awards for property taken and levy
assessments upon lands benefited by the "laying
out OF road, or public drive, northward from the
southerly line of 155th street, in the city Of New
York, to the intersection OF the Kingsbridge road
with street known ana designated on the map OF
the Department OF Public Parks as Inwood street,
as laid out by resolution Of the Commissioners of
the Central Park
The Supreme Court appointed as such Commits.
si0ners Messrs. William G. Traphagen, John
McClave and William A. Seaver, who have now
1abored since the 18th OF December last on this
commission, made awards and assessments on
property eAteuuluE distance OI Jour mlleS, WIFI
out receiving protests from more than tribe over
i've per cent OF the owners affected by their de-
Cisions tand the major portion of these objections
are frivolous), and have now nearly completed
their task.
And now, as everybody is satisfied with the pro-
yect OF this Northern Boulevard, the building of
which grants us an uninterrupted route from the
Battery 10 Spuyten Duyvil, some ''obstructives,"
who imagine themselves aggrieved by not receiving
higher awards Tor the appropriated property, have
connived with some one to Introduce bill into
the Legislature TO nuify everything done so far by
the above-named commissioners.
The annexed bill, now before the Legislature,
which, by the heading, presumes to be or an ex-
-ceedingly harmless nature, has in its provisions
objects which, In its results, are most perncious to
the interests OF property owners on the line
Ostensibly the bin provides that 'no more streets
be laid out above 155th street to be more than one
hundred feet wide" and likewise enacts that the
lab0rs performed by the commissioners appointed
to lay out the Northern Boulevard are to be nulli
sst shall not be lawful to take and appropriate in.
divduai property for the purpose Of laying out or
opening said proposed Public Drive unless the
southern end thereof shall be at north Of 159th
street.r
Should this act become o law the present connec-
ton made by the abOve-named Commissioners
with the Grand Boulevard at 155th street would be
cut on, and the property on Washington Heights,
from the lower part Of the city by the way OF the
Grand Boulevard.
Thus far IL has not transpired who is the father or
this new BILL but one thing is certain which is that
the trick has been discovered too early and thereby
Rn expose must prove fatal to Its becoming law.
There is q huge African in this s.yere" wood pile
requiring to be pulled out.
The labor OF laying out the new Northern Boule-
yard involving surveys, has cost the city large
amount OF money already. and now ct this late day
an e4deavor is made not only to beiittle the work
OF the present Commissioners but to make the city
suffer . loss OF an immense sum OF money. There
Is neither rhyme nsr reason in the Introduction Of
tins bl whose provisions can only have one effect
and that is OF the worst kind, upon city property
In general and Washington Heights real estate II
particular.
The following is a verified copy Of the bill above
alluded to-
An Acr to altar the map OF the city of New York 50
TO reduce the cost OF laying out and opening avenues
The people Of The State of New York, represented In
Senate and Assembly do enact as follows -
80 hattie 90 e g.
out or any m street ppPG ase q
ySasl properly in portion q the Ely New
s Be ee than name ene nf 3
width except that hereafter when the demands ofbusnes
siOns and Immediately a he shore of the waters
street avenue public highway greater width thar
ia sc d ,
20 be laid out from 18th street. norhery to the nersec
Sn s
e. q laid out By 10 Of s n Sas
end q d 60 PSe ays s hs be
IN any part thereof be than 100 wide. shall
not be lawful to take Or appropriate any private or IN
ns said PrSpesss public aSis:s southern
SIC n any RroGesdngs n are pending for tn
the
lion Of which inconsistent with The provisions Of thl
and the TO conform to the provisions OF thu
src a-This act shall take effect immediately