New-York tribune., 1895-07-14
4 GREAT NEW RESERVOIR.

The Aqucduct Commission recently opened
bids for constructing the Jerome Park Reservoir
In the Twcnty-fourth Ward. These bids range
in amount from about S5.3O0,O00 To more than
Sl3OOO.UO0. 1t Is therefore evident that the tax
payers will ~ obliged to pay more than So'oU'-
600 at the lowest estimate for the building OF the
reservoir. In addition 10 the large sums which
must he given 10 the owners OF the land. The
total expenditure on this important enterprise Is
likely TO reach at least $S,DOO.000. and may pos
slby approach SlO.OG0.OOO. Ncw-York City has
already expended sums reaching far Into the
tens of millions. and even into scores OF millions,
for It's water supply. but II is admitted by every
one that this metropolis must be provided with
n supply Of pure and wholesome water, which
will give 10 every person within IT. borders
1uauilty equal TO that which is available for each
individual In any other great city of the world
NEWCOMERS have always displayed praise
worthy enterprise and lbcraty I'm providing
water supply not surpassed for the actual needs
OF the hoischollers within tn" municipal limits
by that ~ any other community In any country.
Vast indeed have been the operations which
have been carried out by the Department of
Public Works and by the Aqnetluct Commission
In bringing plenty ~ water To the homes and
other buildings on Manhattan Island and In the
region above the Harlem River The Commits
sion IS now constructing huge lam In the lower
part ~ the Croton River. which will make
vast lake M "A short distance from the Hudson
The reservoirs In the Croton Valley and those
tributary 10 the Cro'on supply Cover an immense
area and have been constructed with great
engineering skill with generous outlay and with
admirable ihoroughncss. II has been decided
bv those who are most competent to reach con
clnslons In such matters that the proposed
Jerome Park Reservoir Is Indispensable 10 the
completion ~ the water supply. This reservoir
will be far-rcachng In extent. and viii contain
no less than oOOOOOOc0O gallons of water. The
big reservoir In Central Park holds about 1000
DOOOOD gallons Hence II Il plain at glance
that the Jerome Park Reservoir. which * TO keep
stored n quantity Of wGier twice rs great as
that Of IN. Central Park Reservoir. viii BE- Il
remarkable undertaking. and will transform the
appearance Of the Twcntyfourih Ward.
The picturesque and beautiful Jerome Park
thc scene II so many celebrated and stirring con
TESTS among the finest horses America has ever
proiuc,L will be- submerged and become part
Of huge lake. whirh will spread over many
acres above the Harlem River Delightful
memories cluster about Jerome Park There
some Of the bcs,known men in this part OF
the country. who managed the sport In
dslntercstcd way. The membership OF ihe
famous American Jockey Club was made
IN Of influential and honorcd citizens. who
scorn,d the idea Of making cent OF proii' ou'
of racing II the receipts from any meeting
given at Jerome Park exceeded The necessary
expenses, all the surplus was given over to the
Jerome Park villa Site and Improvement Com
many. which owned the land upon which the
races took place. The American Jockey Club
held lis first meeting there nearly thirty years
ago. For years aflcrward the races of the club
people of the city, aud The array of fourth hand
coaches AMI line carriages of all sorts, superb
horses aud wcllhnown people was Impressive
and memorable The glorcs of Jerome Park
have passed away, and this property. NJ noted
IN The annals of The American turf, 80 long n
resort of almost mncqunll'd atirnctlven'ss, IN To
disappear under the surface ~ u vast reservoir.
This Is sacrifice In lis way, but the people of
Ncw.York are compelled 10 make serious sacri'
nccs In order 10 secure water supply whlch
shall afford sufficient pressure 10 give tn every
part of this city ease and comfort IN dwellings
and security from fire In business buildings. If
the jerome Park Reservoir proves to bc M use
fnl to the people Of Ncwiork as the members
of the Aqucduct Commission, the engineers and
other experts expect the millions Of public
money which will bc spent upon II will bc money
well spent. and even The sacrifice Of so charming
resort as Jerome Park must be accepted with