New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-29
FOR A NEW CITY PARK.
LAND SECURED AT THE SOUTH END OF
MACOMB'S DAM BRIDGE.
CONDENSATION PROCEEDINGS FINALLY COM
pLETEp-AN ATTRACTIVE FEATURE OF THE
Upper PART OF THE CITY-IMPoRTANT
REAL, ESTATE TRANSACTION.

| Upper PART OF THE CITY-IMPORTANT
| REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION.
One Of the most important transactions in
real estate that has taken place IN the northern
part of Manhattan Island for many days has
been tho confirmation of the award by the
| Sunreme Court of the twenty-five lots OF
/ ground near Macomb's Dam Bridge. with
| view of turning II into a park The prop
ertv has hecr in course of condemnation for
| some time and the confirmation OF the award
| by the Supreme Court Is the last step In
| adding one of the most attractive features TO
| the city north of Observation-Disclosures
The property, which consists of about twenty
five city lots, has been sold for $lSoooo or
| ST. 200 a lot, which makes 1t one OF tne most
| expensive pieces Of property IN this part OF
| the island. The money will be paio over IN
! the course of the week.
| The lots were the property of Aaron Raymond
| and others and 1t is bounded on the south by
Observation-Disclosures third-st. on the east py
Seventh-ave on the west by Macomps Dan'
Road and thus forms a triangle, Inc oase Oh
which rests on dred-and-hfty-third-st.
and runs north two blocks to One-hundred-and-
ifty-fifth-st. Mr.. Raymond who Is the head OF
the well-known clothing. firm OF A raymond "
Co.. doing business at Nassau and Fulton SITS.
some thirty years ago at auction from the Devlin
estate Mr.. RAYMOND owns the triangle formed
by Macombs Dam Road, the Harlem River and
Observation-Disclosures -first-st The aTex OF the
triangle which he has just sold for slSO,OOO, VIII
be transformed into a public park or qublic APP
proach to the Seventh Avenue b idi;e and the
great viaduct leading to Washing on Heights.
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE GROUND.
At present the triangle that is . be formed
into a park is covered with piles OF natural
rock which will be raZed to the ground and
converted into a beautiful park For many
wears a two-story house. known as tie Romanuc
Hotel has stood on this property and Will be
removed to make room for the contemplated I'M
provements. This hotel has been we'll known 10
New-Yorkers for fifty years back. 1t has pee'
favorite stopping place for people driving
through Central Park and al 'ng Seventh-ave.
1t was first conducted by billy Florence, VINO
sold out his interest to John u. Barry, some
twenty-eght years ago. and Barry has conducted
it ever since. The old sheds at the back OF the
house are a well-known feature OF the scenery
in this part Of the town.
The act under which this property has been
condemned was passed by the Legislature about
eighteen months ago. There has been much
delay. however in the matter Of agreeing upon
erection Of the yiaduct connecting TINS poiht
with Washington Heights has greatly increased
the value of property in this Vic vicinity ut one ine oe
indications now that this VIII be one Vi
the desirable residence parts OF the city.
When the viaduct was built and the new sew
enth Avenue Bridge was projected adequate
consideration was not given to the matter OF
approaches and the present purchase 10 W
remedy this defect. The masses Of rock on this
rise 0ve5 sey sop the view Of
the approach to the bridge from Seventh.aVe'
and a view OF Seventh-ave from the hriaSs.
Furthermore One-hundred-a and -ffty-third-st ~
only sixty feet wide, while the roadway Is only
twenty feet wide, and vehicles crossing tne
bridge. to or from Seventh-ave, would IL IL Is
left in its present condition. find the bro a. open
roadway which Is eighty feet wide In Seyentn-
ave. and sixty feet wide in the Macon IS Dam
Road. choked at this point down 10 widlh "l
only thirty feet and hemmed In between walls
of tagged rock The turn from Seventh-ave ana
One-hundred and -ffty-third-st. Is at right
angle and from One-hundred- -and-nfty.,m
into Macombs Dam Road is at an acute angle:
II left in this condition the approaches would
not only be unsghtly and out OF all harmony
with the beauty OF the bridge ana ,ss s, aplb
viaduct but 1t would also be the most az ngerous
point on the public drives In or around the city:
1t could not fail to be productive OF wrecks ana
accidents of a serious character to horses and
drivers alike.
LIKELY TO STIMULATE HOUSE BUILDING.
well-known real estate man said to Trb-
une reporter: 1.-The construction OF the new
bridge and the establishment OF park at It's
south entrance will give pleasant communi-
cation with the business part OF the city ana
Washington Heights and will undoubtedly
cause a large area OF attractive residences to
be built there. The J. NJ Horton block be-
tween Observation-Disclosures y-third-st ana one.
hundred nd fifty -fourth-st. and Eighth-ave ana
the Macombs Dam Road. comprising thirty
eight lots, will front directly on the plaza APP
proach to the bridge on the one side ana on the
elevated railroad station on the other. making IL
one of the most desirable blocks thereabouts
for business. This property embraces over two
acres Of ground and has a street frontage 0i
nearly 1,4O0 feet. The Raymond property VIII
face directly the plaza and the bridge approach
on the south. 1t is undoubtedly true. as many
will declare that until rapid transit facilities
between this region and the. business part OF the
city have been greatly improved, the big dis-
trict north of One-hundred- and forty fth-st
and west Of the New-York Central Road VIII
not receive its rightful share OF the bcnehts
from the constant increase in the population
Of the city. People will not settle In the mac
cessible parts of the city, but while this is true
1t is also true that a rapid transit system Is IN
process Of evolution under conditions favorable