New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-27
treasury.
THE BRIDGE EXTENSION IN BROOKLYN

THE BRIDGE EXTENSION IN BROOhLlN.
One of the provisions of the Bridge bill agreed
upou by the Trustees Committee on Legislation
is that the Brooklyn terminus OF the structure
shall be at the City Hall Square. This means
simply that the Bridge Railway shall be cx-
tended to that point and that an elevated
structure shall be built along Westinghouse
with terminal station in the triangular block
bounded by Washington, Fulton and Johnson
SITS. That the Bridge cars should run from the
City Hall in New-York to the City Hall IN
Brooklyn is entirely proper and reasonable
and the Brooklyn terminus OF the Bridge would
naturally become the stalting-point for the
rand transit system of our nelghborlng city.
Bnt that Washington-st. should be given up to
an elevated railroad, and that the Bridge depot
should be on the block mentioned seems open
to serious objection.
At present Westinghouse. is the only direct
approach to the Bridge in brooklyn. Mayor
Lows proposition to extend Flatbush-ave. In a
direct line to the Bridge making broad and
adequate ghfare-which we favored two
wears ago-has been entirely abandoned. The
widening of Westinghouse. on the west side,
which has been talked Of will probably not be
accomplished, OH account of the great expense.
Washington-st. free from all elevated roads
and to give it substantial pavement. But
even if this street were widened a. proposed,
and the Bridge Railway extended III direct
line from Sands st-leavng Westinghouse.
proper in its present cOndition-the objections
to the scheme would not be removed.
The triangular block on which the Bridge
depot is to be placed is not large enough for
rapid transit depot a. well. Ii is evident that
passengers coming down on the Brooklyn
elevated roads shoIld be transferred to the
Bridge road as directly and easily rs possible.
Therefore the termini of the two systems sh ould
be adjacent if not in the same building. III
adjoining buildings with connecting platforms
Besides, this plot of ground is one OF the cost
liest in the city, But the most important con-
sideration of all is tho preservation OF the City
Hall Square from the unsightliness which
elevated railroads on two sides would entail.
The usefulness Of elevated roads i'll our cities
has been demonstrated; but no ono Is bold
enough to declare them beautiful. IL seems
inevitable that one of these roads should be
built i'm Fulton-st and the needs OF other parts
of the city will require them in Myrtle-ave. GER
tainly and in Court-st. probably. Two OF these
would skirt the City Hall Square and practically
ruin il. besides impairng the appearance of the
City Hall and adjacent structures. This most
important square in the city should by all
means be kept free from such DETACHMENT.
The best suggestion to secure this result that
has come to our knowledge is that the Bridge
Railway be extended up Adams-st. to a point
nearly in the rear OF the Park Theatre. Ii
could cross Westinghouse. at an angle and
easily reach Adams-st. by diagonaly crossing
the block between High and Nassau SITS.
Adams-st property is much less valuable than
that in Westinghouse. Ample space for
depot for the Bridge road and for the various
elevated roads could be secured in the block
bounded by Adams and Pearl SITS. and Myrtle
ave- and Wiloughby-st. A direct entrance from
the City Hall to the depot could be furnished i'll
one of the buildings facing on the City Hall
Square, Best of ALL the square itself would not
be disfgured. as it would be under the plan
proposed by the trustees committee.
The Board Of Trustees will meet to-day
to act upon the committees BILL which, if
approved, will go to Albany with every likeli-
hood of a speedy passage. We urge them care
fully to consider the scheme of extending the
Bridge Railway up Adams-st. rather than
Washington. If there are legal obstacles in the
way, they can easily be removed. This plan is
certainly practicable one, and, as we have
shown, it possesses marked advantages over
the other.