The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-23

brokers and purchasers yet the right spirit Of
animation Is still lacking, and purchasers display
but little enthusiasm in their dealings, but, on
the contrary, wade through their contracts with
q mechanical sluggishness, as II the exertion OF
making bargain was entirely too much for
fatigued mankind to accomplish. When the
question is put to the real estate Solons how 20
account for the existing lethargy, they promptly
answer "Old Prob or his clerk Is at the bottom OF
1t ALL" and unless he or both Will soon relent the
rigor Of the Winter the prospects for Spring trade
in private transactions will be very slim.
But, metaphor aside, it is now high time that
business had commenced in earnest and, judging
from several announcements already made, this
weeks operations promise to break the charm,
and plunge US at once into labyrinth Of activity
The legal sales of last week were very heavy.
and embraced some valuable parcels OF improved
property which were disposed of at good prices.
During the present week we shall have good
many auctions, as will be seen from the regular
record which we publish Of the ''sales to come"
Naming q street or avenue anew, and to main
tain the new appellation has heretofore been found
exceedingly difficult; but let the designation be
popular and strike the public ear lavorably it be-
comes at once fixed fact. "Central Park Avenuen
is the last christening received by Eighth avenue,
the western boundary Of our noble Park, between
Fifty ninth and 10th streets, and the fact that up
wards of one-half of the parties owning property
on this thoroughfare cheerfully signed petition
to the Common Council to confirm this name. with
the promise that the other half will likewise favor
the same, is sufficient evidence that the same ia
voG p0puli, the opposition OF the West Side AssO-
citation, Mr.. william r. Martin, President, and
favOrng "WestbOurne Avenue" to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
"Shall our uptown improvements be continued,
or are they to be stopped at once ?" is question
asked by everybody in any way interested in
property above Fifty-nnth street. This query is
put in consequence Of the bill No. 3g introduced
into the Assembly by Mr.. Deering, read twice and
reported favoraby by the Committee on Cities,
and ordered printed. This act is entitled Gan
act to regulate the opening and Improvement
of the streets, avenues, roads and. public places
north OF Fifty ninth street. in the city OF New York.
and to reduce the several acts relating particularly
thereto into one act" which provides that here
after any and all street openings will be in charge
of five Commissioners, nominated by the Counsel
to the Corporation and confirmed by the Supreme
Court of the State. Section provides that
ION and after the passage OF this law all proceed
ings for the opening, widening, extending, enlarg-
ing and otherwise laying out streets, &C., &C,
pending, wherein Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessment have been appointed by the Supreme
Court, and wherein no report, as heretofore au-
thoriZed by law, has been confirmed, excepting,
however, proceedings wherein the report OF the
Commissioners has been noticed for confirmation
or the costs thereof noticed for vacation are
hereby discontinued"
Subject to this provision, then. the following
commissions are legslated out OF Office upon the
passage Of MIR. behring's bills
Eleventh avenue to Harlem River, and of which
ex.Alderman +; B. Hart Is Commissioner.
Widening Of Kingsbrdge road; Commissioners,
Dreamer, Parsons and Coleman.
Northern Boulevard, from 155th street to Inwood
street; Commemorative A. Seaver, Wm f.
Traphapen and John MCClaVe.
A Commission on which Is John Wheeler of the
Committee OF Seventy.
Commission a member OF which is F. Law
Olmstead.
Commission whereto belongs VIM. r. Martini
President West Side Association.
1t has been a pet plan with our Comptroller to
consolidate all the street opening commissions into
one, for what purpose is supernuous to state In
case the COmptroer's scheme was carried out
would assessed awards for damages be paid more
promptly than at present.
REMOVING THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS FROM THE
ISLANDS,
Since the fixed establishment Of the Riverside
Park property on this line has appreciated up
wards OF one hundred per cent, while the pro-
jected improvement has exercised highly bene-
fetal influence upon real estate west of the Gen.
trail Park In general. In consequence the holders
of landed estates on the east side feel somewhat
jealous-and we cannot blame them, either-0f the
great advantage possessed by the west-sders.
Those residing east OF Fifth avenue claim that they
should have some improvements boulevard or
park-legazed in their precinct, by which property
might be enhanced. To effect such q purpose Mr..
Charles Crazy introduced his bill in the Assembly
to establish boulevard and park, upon which we
commented at length, and likewise published in
last Sundays edition o cOunter-view as seen by
Harlem" upon this subject. The greatest objec-
ton urged for an East River Park is the destruc-
ton of valuable water fronts.
We have, however, heard OF plan, which, II
carried into execution, will enhance east side real
estate more than all the parks and boulevards that
could be established IN q lifetime. This Is no less
project than 'the renOUdl OF the Institutions rom
Bldck,oeH's, Randalps ana Wdrds Islands,"
Such proposition may at the first blush appear
w far-fetchel. hut IL npVprthplpss will hear
the utmost reasoning. In the first place, the re-
moval OF the Smallpox Hospital from Blackwells
posite from the infection OF the loaths0me disease
waited over by an easterly wind. Secondly, the
"a Ns he cng tine east ns
value Of property in this vicinity, and its
adjustment would greatly enhance the same.
Thirdly the steady increase Of our population
is such that the establishments on these
islands will soon become inadequate for the de-
mand made upon them as evidenced by the numer-
ten years. And last, the various Islands thus occu
pied have in fact become, since the upward march
and Nineteenth wards, only divided by narrow
stream which will sooner or later have to be an
nexed by bridge connection.
A prominent real estate operator to whom this
subject was mentioned gave his hearty approval
thereof and stated that enhanced the value prop
ery the east side of the city, by such transfer OF
the public institutions, would not only pay for
the removal thereof but be sufficient to
e O. sa wy dc with he
lions after removalfn we would state that there
some beautiful islands, somewhat further removed
from New York city, known as Riker's, Harris and
several little peninsulas, which, II not owned by
the Commonalty, could be easily purchased.
The material contained In the present build
ings could easily be made available fer the new
prisons, hospitals or almshouse, and, instead OF
adding new wings every few years, erect at once
such edifces are requisite for the wants Of such
ESTABLISHMENTS, and which are nlled BY the dregs
Out-crOppfng from one and half mllHon popula-
ton. The final disposal OF the islands can be left
to vote OF the property owners from
Sixteth street to 13oth street and from
Fifth avenue to the East River. In
the course of time, however, when our sea-going
vessels, instead OF coming through the Narrows at
staten Island to the metropolitan wharves, will
take the nearest route saving forty miles sailing
via Willetts Point then 1t may become necessary
Custom House, Appraisers of1ces and Public
Store In this vicinity; for 1t Is only matter OF q
few months when the clearance OF the He'll Gate
distractions, now In an almost finished state will
bring every foot OF water front on East River into
most active demand.
Above Thirty fourth street the heavy import