New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-28
TIE IMPROVEMENTS.

been kept constantly in view. The difficulties encoun-
have arsep not from the nature OF the ground
much from the persistent, uDtrng opposition Of pri-
waite property few in number but very earnest
in their resistance to the plans Of the Department
These opponents may be divided into three classes
those who have already laid out streets upon their prop
erty. which perhaps have been partly built up and
otherwise improved; secondly, those who desire no
streets at ALL there must be streets, would have
them laid out on existing property lines and thirdly,
speculative land owners who anxious that their
property shall be divided by the streets and
that it be cut INTO 25 by 100 feet lots 1t has been
found be very difficult matter to suit everybody and
to harmonic the desires OF individuals The
plans, originally made, were satisfactory
both to the people generally and to the
Department but the success Of one or two persons in
obtaining notifications through outside pressure
brought TO bear upon the Commissioners led Others
to seek the accommodation Their wishes IN the
majority of instances agree with thelpubc inter
ests very few seeming TO that the benefit to the
whole community should be paramount II is evident
that the commission should not be obliged to give way
in such cases. and to make ncOnvenient and expensive
changes in their plans, which probably Will have to be
altered again the future. Under the act which clothed
them with this authority they required to consult
individual desires where practicable but it is only feared
that this courtesy may have been carried SO far as to
leopard the public necessities.
The Westchester District is already trayersed
to great extent by and bOulevards, parcu-
larly IN the thickly settled portion These are to be
utilized 80 far as practicable The avenues and impor
tant streets will be made from rs feet TO 100 feet IN
width the others will be co feet wide generally, aud
mover less than 90 feet Short lanes and fOoways on
precptous 'grades will not be less than so feet IN width
Wide longitudinal aud cross streets aceommo-
dated nature OF the ground, Will be the general
plan. Morrisania, previously stated, has already
been laid out The only improvements expected here
will he ale
there ia some question yet remaining unsettled as
10 the respective authorities OF the Department
Of Public Parks and Department OF Docks.
In West Farms very little has been
done owing TO the failure Of appropriations. Little
work needed at present except in the construction OF
wide boulevards for communication with NewYork.
Preliminary plans have been adopted for the western
portion of the town adjacent to the Harlem River but
only Sedgewick-ave and adjoining streets, up 10 point
opposite Inwoodst NewYork have been constructed.
mainly combinations of streets already
! laid out in Morrlsania.
The great point of interest In this work at present is
Kiugsbridge Here all the opposition is developed.
The plans now under consideration by the Department
cover the district between Rverdae-ave. Tibbetts
Brook would nearly as well for the ine) and the
Hudson River up to the Yonkers line, or about 1000
aeros-onefourth OF the.ownshp. These plans follow
the suggestions made by Chief Engineer Grant given
above The main avenues, where it has been found
practicable been widened, and their grades made
easier The streets have been made not straight
but winding The object being 10 secure. If pos
sibe, even grade. The arrangement ia such
that, If necessary in the future, other cross
streets can be constructed, without rendering
ssry any change in the present plan. No further
description be given at present they not
adopted Notifications have been made, aud plans sub
Saturday the President Of the Department, Salem H.
Wales made personal examination OF this district In
order TO to better understanding of the matter
The Engineer Corps engaged upon plans for the
rest township, which will soon be completed,
which will follow the same general plan
II viii be seen that the street improvements Of the
nexed district still III preliminary stage, despite
the energetic efforts Of those in charge Of Them 1t Is
understood that the Park Commissioners have referred
all the matters involved in the Act of annexation to
special committee consisting OF Messrs Wales and Will
Hanson. to report what work will be undertaken in the
towns of Kngsbridge West Farms and Morrlsana dur
ing 1874 This committee 10 now buslly engaged upon
the subject and will report plan OF operations emOrac
ing SUCH preliminary work az may be necessary ,s
tween Observation-Disclosures fh-s and InwoOdst has
and Harlem Rivers Is laid out according to the rectangu
lar system On each side bOuleyards near the
aud following the contour OF the ground
Above Inwoodst. the plan has not yet been definitely
settled East Of the Kings6ridge Road the streets will
be M on the Plan OF those
The parade ground adopted Feb 1873 about
Bridge This has rendered necessary changes in the
plan OF streets The improvements by which the Har
the city have already been described in The TRIBUNE
The channel is TO be deepened with width OF from 200
fs e bay vide snal
both sdes with warehouses at distance was first CON
temulated II thought that 1t may be better 10
have the warehouses the edge OF the river so as 10
Obva,e the Of transP9rng go9ds across
of Improvement has yet been denntey settled The
question o. OF poeEs has partly hampered any move
ment in this direction
BRIDGES, TUNNELS AND WATER SUPPLY.
The only avenues Of communication between New
York and the district. the Harlem River, are
Bridge and KiDgsbridge. The Thrdsve. Bridge com
paratiyely new but 10 said to need repairs The Cen
trail Bridge the terminus OF Eighth and Seventh Ave
nue. bouevards on the NewYork side, connecting with
Central-ave on the Westchester sde old wooden
structure, In very dangerous condition. despite the ex
also in wfetcIcd condition The structures 70 take the
place of relieve these, already proposed by the De-
partment these In the place OF Central Bridge q
funnel is proposed Careful examinations and sound
nes been made and plans and estimates prepared
As originally planned, this work was to be paid for by
New-York ana Westminster County joinIly but the
westcheser authorities failed TO provide their snare OF
TO build q suspension bridge the Harlem River
1900 feet north Of High Bridge, connecting tho New
YORK side either with boulevard or Tenthave. Moth
ing beyond the preliminary surveys and plans has been
accomplished. Another proposed Improvement is az
tunnel near KiDgsbridge. connecting the kingsbrdge
road with Broadway in the or Kngsbridge. 1t is
not unlikely that another tunnel will be built from ln-
wood-st. Morriss Dock. thus aiordng eonyenien nc
cess from Hudson River Railroad and the New-York
Boston and Montreal Railroad TO the new Parade
Ground. carriageway High Bridge ID also under
consideration. .,
Tie question OF the water supply for the annexed dis
trlct is one which Will require the immediate attention
OF authorities The Crot0n Aqneduct trayerses the
center the annexed district for i've miles. Its eleya
Is nbOut l20 feet above tide level, and as halt at
least OF tho land lies between two and three hundred
feet above tide level IL Will be impossible 10 supply the
whole region without the OF pumps. In regard To
the capacity OF the present supply there is no appreben
sion The construction of reservoir In Putnam
County. and Of aqueduct for portion OF the dis
tanOe, Will probably be necessary.
COST IMPROVEMENTS
Under the acts OF 1869 and 1872 the expense OF the sur
nn hy par tn
he betrayed by assessments the towns OF YOukers,
EarInR and MnIrisapia and limited 10 &l0OOQ