New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-17
MAKING WEST STREET AN AVENUE.
EFFECTS OF THE BILL JUST SIGNED BY TIE GOV

ERNoR.
Among the bills passed by the Legislature IN the
last hours of the session was one relative 10 INC
widening of West.st Under this act. all persons
who at the time the widening of the street shal DC
commenced upon their property are entltied
to wharfage and other emoluments from
the water front the old bulkheads SNAIL
upon the payment of 1925 for each running toot' as
n contribution toward the expense of widening the
street. receive from the city certificate OF sucn
payment and in consideration of this payment theS
shall entitled forever thereafter to all receipts
from the new bulkheads and water fronts opposite
the old bulkheads from which they were previously
entitled to receive wharfage. 1t is also provided that
the rights conferred by the act shall not DE taken
away or impaired by any future change OF me
water front unless upon @ 20 s1em nreo TIC
The bill having become a law by the signature OF
the Governor, some discussion as 10 .ne
effects of its operation, as between pIoPeIH
owners and the city. has been called forth.
Commissioner Jacob NanderpOel. III long etIeI
addressed TO the Governor recently, urged tnat tne
bill should not receive executive approval MANY
of the pier-owners however of the opinion that
the measure is entirely equitable IN that u pro
poses to compensate them for their snare IN the
work and invests them with rights TO whlch they
regard themselves Justly entitled The necessity OF
better facilities for conducting the tralilc on west
st. seems recognized by all. A.,
The Dock Department claims that ever since the
law providing for the widening of West-st was en-
acted the Commissioners have pursued their work
expeditOusl as possible, with view 10 creatihg
an avenue which, in every respect, shOuId meet the
requirements of trade. 1t was stated ar
the office of the Dock Board that the
new bill was framed and submitted without
conference with the Commissioners. and that me
results of its enforcement would be highly
detrimental to the interests of the city. According
to the construction given TO the bill by Commls-
sioner Vanderpoe the right is conferred upon per
owners to erect sheds on their new bulkhead prop
erty extending back fifty feet In other words, the
city makes West-st $50 feet wide, and the OIL
gives to the owners the right to cover the outer
fifty feet with stOrehouses, practically making the
street only 200 feet wide In reply to TINS,
however. prominent pier. holder says that
if the bill il capable of such construc-
ton, other legislation can be provided to meet any
objections that may arise on that point although
in his opinion such result is not to be anticipated
Although apprehensions are expressed by some that
under the privileges conveyed TO the wharl-oWners
by the law, West-st. will eventually be built up
on the river side with large storehouses and
thus be transformed into inland street.
the majority of essees of stores on the east side OF
the street do not share In this belief. The law,
however. is looked upon generally with suspicion
and the feeling to prevail that It should have
been considered with IN the Legislature before
going to the Governor.