The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-10
CHEAP DOWNTOWN DWELLINGS.

Utilizing Improbable Store Property In
the Lower Wards-Plans For Com
vertinG 1t Into Commodious Resi-.
dences for Clerks and Others>-A Society
TO be Organized.
The provisional committee Of influential citizens
who Tor several weeks past have been considering
the plan OF utilizing the Improbable store prop
erty IN the lower wards Of the city, by converting IL
into cheap and commodious residences Tor clerks,
mechanics and the laboring classes, caused O pub
lie meeting for the purpose of considering the
subject to be held last evening in the hall OF the
Geographical Society, Cooper Institute. The at
tendance was not large, but much interest
was manifested in the proceedings. The
Rev. DR.. Samson was called to the chair,
and Mr.. Samuel Leavtt acted as Secretary. The
latter gentleman, together with Mr.. Carl Pfeifrer,
had been appointed subcommittee to examine
property in the lower wards for the purpose OF as
pertaining, so far as practicable the extent of it's
depreciation for business purposes, and for what
price the stores could he obtained to convert into
dwelling houses. Mr.. Leavitt said that it was the
prevailing sentiment that the lower wards Of the
city must again become lodging places and he in
cant that could be rented at low figures.
II the organization successfully carried out
part OF the city, it would be required that
the emlgrant depot at Castle Garden be removed
duu Tue BdCteTy alone uSeQ as Tue breathing SPOT
for the downtown population In speaking with
real estate agents 1t had been ascertained that in
all the streets below Barclay entire buildings can
now be rented for $500 and 81 900 that three or
more blocks above bring $4,000 and 5000.
DR.. Howard Crosby SAID the whole project was in
tended for the benent OF our Fellow citizens, and
was rather an appeal TO the brotherly love and
charity OF New Workers. You can make man
more charitable when you make HIM feel at the
we can do this with the owners OF unoccupled
downtown property we shall have all OF them con-
Vnr cd n n fin III linn NO
before the owners and say tnat this Is not an eX-
pertinent but that we will guarantee them so much
per centage on their investment. 1t has been
thought that this will be q grand movement Tor
the moral welfare OF the community. Three or
four stores as dwellings may be connected together
and III the centre fine, large sitting room, Tor the
heads OF the famlly-a place made so comfortable
and pleasant that it Will excel the attractions of
the saloon, and men may thus overcome the hor-
rors OF home. The committee think they nave got
hold OF an important secret and the community
ought to know 1t.
MIR. Charles Pieifer presented figures TO show
that the project VIII pay. On stores in Stone,
Bridge and similar streets, he argued that on an
outlay of $4,000 there would be realized on the
property designed for the dwellings of merchants,
clerks and others Of their class eleven per cent,
and on other places fifteen per cent. Mr.. Plelner
presented plans OF remodeling adapted 10 differ
ent stores.
Several other gentlemen commended the move
ment when DR.. Crosby advised that as the FEAST
bity and importance OF the project had been
demonstrated he thought 1t proper that plan Of
organization should at once be determined upon,
whereupon Mr. James I. Hddgkins offered the fol,
lowing resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted
endorses the plan OF organizing society for the purpose
of seeking to render useful for dwelling houses the large
number of unoccupled stores and similar buildings in the
lower part OF the city
Resolved. That committee of seven be appointed to
present plan OF such organization and report an
early day.
The committee, appointed by the nomination of
those present, consists of William e. Church, Sam
uel Leavltt, James I. Hodgkins, Abram G. Hewett
Howard Potter and DR.. stephen Smith.
Adjourned TO meet at the call OF the committee,