New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-03
TO FILL IN THE HARLEM.
THAT L WHAT SIMON STEVENS WANTS.
MAYOR Is NOT ENTHUSIASTIC.

WILLING TO SHOW HOW IT CAN DE DONE. But THE
MAYOR Is NOT ENTHUSIASTIC.
simon stevens presented his project to the Sinking
Fund Commissioners yesterday for joining this city with
the Annexed District BIZ filling in the Harlem River
from Third TO Eighth ayes. Mr. sevens's plans were
unanimously set forth in thirty five printed pages and
include the tructOn Of covered waterway sixty
feet WIDE 10 be built the westerly side Of the Harlem
River from the eastc:ly side OF ThlM-avc. to one
hundred and sxty-nfthst. filing in the river between
the points named that the avenues and streets OF
Harlem NAV be extended into MOrrsania. Mr.. stevens
begins his communication with minute statement OF
tic Dock Departments proposed improvement Of the
west side OF the Harlem River for pier purposes, ana
give, in detail the action Of the city authorities IN
reference thereto Controller Myers opposed the Dock
Departments plan arc0unt of its great cost, and
Mr.. stevens goes to show that it was inimical to
the true interests OF the city of New-York After
touching upon his present project, as Hreany de
scrlbcd SIR stevens says:
Tho streams embraced In the improvement ara the iiar
lem River the Spuvten Euyvil Creek the former emp
tying River Hell Gate and TIE latter
into the River about thirteen miles north OF the
Battery and together separating Manhattan Island from
the mainland
There has always been exchange OF waters between
these at Kngsbdgo, though long ledge OF
awash at lew water and an extremely narrow channe
at that point heretofore prevented the exchange being
free
High Bridge is practically at the head Of navigation In
the Harlem River, but there is fair channel OF ABOUT
feet depth mean low water as FAR as MOTIFS DOCK
SIX miles the mouth OF the river and crooxcd one
Of seven feet to Fordham Landing mile further but
this entire section except by row
boats and loaded with building material for the
roadway OF streets which being opened In the Annexed
District" Kngsbrdgc mile and threequarters from
tho Hudson River head navigation In the Spuy/n
Duyv Creek but only high water for vessels drawing
eight feet.
The estimated cost making the connection by cut
through Dyckman Meadows, given by General Newton
I'm his report 1882 Is 90 100 900. This estimate does
not provide fox improvement Of the channel OF tho
Harlem River between this proposed cut and the mouth OF
tho Harlem River. The estimated cost OF improving this
par Of the river given in General Newton's report for
1870 was about 100000 Total the improvement OF
the Harlem River between the Hudson River and East
River 49, 100000 The project was revised In 1885 by
narrowing channel Immediately north Of High Bridge
to 80 feet skirts the ogden estate on the east
bank.
Mr. stevens discusses Mt length the great cost OF
raising and maintaining the Harlem bridges In ac-
cordance with tho demands OF the Federal Govern
mcnt and asks
Now a, the authority to solve these problems Is ex
clusiyey within the control Of OF the United
states with OF the Legislature OF the state
q New.York should not the Legislature be asked To
create commission composed Of the state Engineer a'u
Surveyor and othor-. to meet similar commission Oh
United Engineers be appointed by Congress or oy
power 20 send for persons and papers administer oaths ia
take testimony examine og themselves as to whether
or not 1t Is advisable complete the canal scheme as here
tofore proposed I'LL in that part Of the Harlem River
between Tlrl and Eighth as here suggested ana 10
report testimony taken and their conclusions to Con-
cres and tho Legislature Of the State Of Newfork. for
such action may be necessary In tho premises FOR NE
stat, Of ScwYork or the Government Of the United States
undertake.
The probable cost to the city of the bridges he gives
In the following recapltulaton
For 3i.avc Bridge and approaches ,; oJ V0
For 4thaye Edqo and approache 900 oE9
FOR improvement, proposed BY Dock Board.- 2'Ooooo
. .o.., -, ...........s ~ 500 900
Nr stevens INDUCES in the following statistics In
support Of his scheme:
THE ANNEXED DIsTRICT-AHEA.
The Twenty.thlld and Twentyiourh WARDS were an
neNed to the city II N,wYork, Jonuary 1870 pursuant
TO Chapter Ol3 OF rie Laws Of 1873
Thes, wards have On Of. i i22'S1n
Manhattan Island has an area Of. iz:99
Twenty.foutth WARDS at the tine OF ennexf an 10.
In Ieso ave yeas a Later h hsf ncSaG TO- 5000
Now II Is estimated 'Ho' No !"p- 100000
Assessed Valuation.
In 1859 the assessed valuation was 29i g 90,
In 1880 the assessed valuation was...'..- 20 t=9 eS
In is0 assessed valuation was......'..; oo.o.o..t
Should the Harlem River be filled IN as herein
utoi o,sd the assessed valuation OF these
'@T gaG in ' exceS, q, sico 900 Oo1
Parks Streets and Sewers.
The parks and parkwavs IN AMI adjacent 70
these WaHis contain $3.50 acres anu hu,s
s,o,t the city OF Newio'N uoOl' - 50 100000
Tho cost q other public improvements such
"a. Tho go miles OF street, ana thrsy-tWo o.,oo>
miles OF sewers. 'V0''OO'
ro, expenditure by the city Of New'YoFk 300 coo
RAILWAYS.
There are lines OF STAN railroads now IN opera
,ion in the two wards and ,everal other projected
Thee are thirtyelght passenger stations over SEQ
ua. -cngcr trains passing elch way daily over LOW
Height cars are dispatched daily.
There arc lines Of hos: railroads now IN opera
ton and several projected Last year they carried
socwhat oNor coo passengers, and the suburban
Elevated Railroad carried about 100000 passengers
There are three elevated railroads, viz. the second
Thrd aud sixth avenues and three horse car lines ana
one cable road terminating tho sOuthcry or westerly
side OF the Harlem River, bridges which connect
with The Twcnty .thid and Twenty.fouJth Wards
The y Y. c. & II. Il. l.. Railroad the Iar'
lem and the " V n. H. and II. RAILROADS the Harlem
River at Four-ayc and Onehunde Land thirty fourth
The New.York aud Northern Railroad crosses the
Harlem River at Eishth.ave.. above Onehunlredan and
alty.lf;h-st.
Mr. Stevens closes his argument as follows:
II IL should be decided 10 III In the Harlem River be-
NJ EfOhfh and