New-York tribune., 1895-02-10
RE4DY TO REPORT ON THE SHORE \DRTTE
THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR
PRELIMINARY INQUIRIEs-THEiR REPORT
TO BE HANDED IN THIS WEEK


TO BE HANDED IN THIS WEEK.
The first report Of the Shore Drive Commission is
practically completed and will probably be presented
to Mayor Schieren early this week. The plan OF i'm
proving the road that skirts the edge OF the Bay
and Narrows between Bay Ridge and Fort Hamil-
ton. has been under consideration more or less
vaguely for long time, but until about three
years any practical steps taken toward
making what from every point of view must be
garded a most desirable improvement Every one
who has ever driven over this road or walked along
it-and there is more charming walk or country
road in the vicinity of Greater New York-must have
perceived what possibilities it possesses. 1t
winds in the most picturesque fashion along the
waterfront. at times descending almost to the
waters edge, and again rising high above 1t. all
the while affordng the most delightful pictures OF
water land and sky. Here is the ideal place for
beautiful drive or boulevard
This is no new idea The attractions of the Shore
Drive were recognized many years ago by men In
teresed in the development of Brooklyn. but until
recently the time has seemed ripe for under
taking work here even laying plans for it, Mayor
Boody. however, about three years ago. appointed
a commission TO consider the subject The comms-
sion consisted of General John Il. Woodward, Elijah
X. Kennedy. William Brown. John Condor and
George Ingram. They had not gone far with their
work before the necessity of legislation In order 10
carry it TO completion. became apparent According
ly bill passed authorizing the city OF Brook
lyn to proceed with the undertaking. 1t was neces-
sary to do this. because the Shore Drive at that
time was outside of the city limits. it has not
been since July / last, when the town OF New
Utrecht became a ward of Brooklyn
Under this act. Mayor Scheren reapponted the old
commissioners, and added to the number two others
Solomon W. Johnson and Simeon B. Chitenden.
During the last year the commissioners have done
a good deal of in a quiet way, attracting no
public notice. and now, as has been said. they are
ready to make their first report This will deal with
the boundaries Of the proposed parkway and the cost
Of the work The report must receive the approval
of the Mayor, Controller. City Auditor. Corporation
Counsel Supervsor-at-L Large, and County Treasurer.
and when this has been granted. the Shore Drive
commissioners will proceed acquire the property
needed and the improvement will be carried into
effect.
The character of the report. and the conclusions
the commissioners cannot. of course. be stated in
advance of the publication OF the report. some OF
the questions which they bound to consider.
however. are we'll understood by ali who are ia
miliar with the LAY Of the land and the work pro-
posed TO be done one of these questions relates TO
the termln of the drive and the necessity OF direct
connection at the northern end. between it and
Fourth-ave. and Fort Hamilto two streets
over which people driving from Brooklyn in the d
recion of Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton are bound
to pass. 1t is of the first Importance 20 make the
Shore Drive accessible from the city proper. and at
the same time TO avoid as far practicable. the
numerous cartracks in the vicinity Of Sixty-ifth-s
The further terminus OF the drive is also an inter-
esting point If it stops at Fort Hamilton. 1t VIII
lead nowhere. while it r. eminently desirable that
should il possible. be carried TO the eastward
through Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, in order 10
connect with the Ocean Parkway. The advantages
Of such arrangement are obvious at glance
since a parkway ending at Fort Hamilton would De
a virtual cu de sac Undoubtedly this point Will re-
ceiye full attention from the commissioners Tor sucn
an extension as some of them known TO have
considered would add largely 10 the cost OF the
work. -.
The question Of riparian rights along the entire
shore line, and the provision of the necessary
wharyes and piers for the future BroOklyn-wnether
as BROOKLYN or New-York-is another matter whlcn
will have careful treatment in the report Prooa-
bly, the commissioners will oppose the requirement
present drive where this Is necessary IN
order 10 do away with the sharp bends in the eX-
listing road. Such land would be costly. ana. II not
really needed. especially il the plan which has
been suggested of embankment close by the water
side should be carried into effect This would GER
tainly be most attractive part OF the genera
scheme of Improvement. If 1t Is deemed practicabe-
Such an efnbankment would correspond with those
which have been provided In London and other
European cities. and IL would seem az II II might
he readily merged with the drive propeE. where the
latter rises to height of thirty or forty feet above
the level OF the water. , . 49,,
. At ali events the commissioners are known to have
Studied the subject in all It's aspects with care ana
intelligence and their conclusions are aWdteu WIN
general interest II Is only feared nat the rnancal
condition Of the city may be such that II VIII not DE
deemed advisable at this time to embark on
scheme that will involve a considerable outlay !hat
a fine boulevard will be provided here at some time
in the future practically certain. ana the sooner
the work Is taken in hand the smaIIer on sehe'di
PRINCIPLES, will be the cost.