New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-11
TO EXTEND RIVERSIDE DRIVE.
COMMISSIONERS TO CONDEMN RIGHT OF
WAY SOON TO BE APPOINTED.

The Corporation Counsel will take one OF the final
steps in few days in the proceedings necessary
to condemn the right OF way for the extension OF
Riverside Drive from the north end OF the via
duct. crossing the lowlands of Manhattanvile. to
the Boulevard Lafayette The papers for the APP
pointment OF commissioners are about ready, and
II announced yesterday that only little time
will elapse before all the preminaries will have
been attended TO for the Improvement.
The announcement is welcome one as the work
is OF the most important undertaken in New
York for many years.
The Boulevard Lafayette is not we'll known TO
New-Yorkers in general for the reason that II has
no direct connection with the southern part Of the
city. II is in a picturesque region. however. and
its natural beauty will undoubtedly make II pop
ular when the contemplated improvements have
been made
Three years ago the Legislature passed bill au-
thorizing the city 10 bond Itself for an extension
Of Riverside Drive northward II was pointed out
in Mayor Strongs administration that II the Boule-
vurd Lafayette and Riverside Drive could be con-
nccted in long driveway II would result In an
Improvement which for general beauty is not ex-
ceeded A legislative enactment was necessary be-
fore the city officials could follow up the idea.
After the bond issue had been authorized. General
c. II. T. Coils. at that time Commissioner OF Pub
lie Works. set his engineers to work on a map OF
the proposed Improvement. This was a labor OF
months. but before the close OF Mayor Strong ;
administration meeting Of the Board OF Street
Openings and improvements was called TO consider
It. After several hearings the map adopted,
but It decided to pass finally only the lower
section. This section included a steel vaduct
which would carry Riverside Drive from Caremont
northward the lowands OF Manhattanville TO
One hundred and thirty ffth-st. The map for this
section was filed on November D.. 1897.
There necessity for condemnation pro-
ceedines. as the property necessary for the right
OF way already belonged 70 the city
In December Of that year the contra for the
construction OF the viaduct was awarded to John
c. sheehan. II had been estimated that the work
would cost $4,000 and bonds 10 that amount had
been authorized by the Board Of Estimate and APP
portionment. Mr. Sheehan's contract price was only
$4,000 He was ready to go ahead when Mayor
Van Wyck came into Office Then the question OF
the debt limit arose. and all public work was
stopped. This set the Improvement back more
than year. Finally the bonds were ordered re-
issued. and Mr.. Sheehan began the work. Then
came agitation in the Board Of Public Improve
ments for change in the stonework for the piers
and abutments Of the vaduct The original speci-
hcatons called for limestone. but President Holla-
han preferred granite The authorities refused to
sanction the additional expense OF granite, and
work the viaduct was resumed.
The map Of the upper part Of the proposed eyten-
trict from Onehundred and hfth-st TO One
rood %nere Of tH the pr o
way along this section must be condemned Tins
was called 70 the attention OF the bOdru OF fuDHc
improvements several weeks ago and resolution
adopted instructing the Corporation Counsel
10 take the necessary proceedings TO acquire title
in the of the city 10 all the lands that Will
he required.
Counsel and in compliance with 1t he Immediately
undertook the preliminary investigation. The au-
thorites interested in the improvement. and as
soon possible the right OF way north OF One
hundred-and- thrty-ffth-st. will be secured. II Is
hoped that before the end Of the year. when the
viaduct will be completed. IL will he possible 10
proceed with the construction Of the second sec
~ he aYfS usfOr and two
n will he possible start from Seventy st.
and drive to the extreme north end Of Manhattan
Island