The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-09
NE W ARK AVENUE
Merchants Meet and Decide
for Asphalt Pave
ment.
SHEDS MUST co.
The Thoroughfare to Be Made
Attractive Probably
Will Cost $4,000.
SHEDS MUST GO.

poSC
of improving Newark avenue, met last
evening at Fischer's Hall, Newark ave-
nue. and Erie street. There was large
attendance. Myron B. Furst opened the
discussion by bringing UP the subject of
asphalting Newark avenue
President Furst was the first speaker.
He said the present condition of the
street interfered with traffic, to the detri-
ment of business.
''The COST said he, "of repaving the
street with asphalt, considering the bene-
fits that might be derived from it, would
be comparatively small. I have talked
with many contractors about the price
of the improvement and when the various
estimates are averaged it makes the ap-
proximate cost about $4,000. Onethird
this would have to be paid by the trolley
companies, which would make the cost
to the owners and the city considerably
less.
''The money, too, that is spent for this
Improvement will not be thrown away.
1t is not only spent for the benefit of
the merchants, but for the city as WELL,
for in the course of few years the
street will be in such a condition that
it will be absolutely necessary to re-
pave it,.
'I,have been assured by City Engineer
Van Keuren that the wear on asphalt
pavement is not great l presume that
the effects of wear depend in the founda-
tion upon which the asphalt is laid. You
can put asphalt on dirt or upon any
number of inches of concrete or even on
paving stones, and suppose the effect of
wear will not be so great. 1t would last
a good many years. Then it would re-
ouire resurfacing which in turn would
do service for at least ten years longer.
We are not asking for anything extrava-
CANT, for the improvement would give US
a better street and in the end better
city,"
Joseph E. Bernstein said
"As merchants and businessmen, We
ask only what is just. The citizens are
satisfied that the streets should be inn
proved, as is Mayor Hoos. If we make
this demand-asphalt for Newark ave-
nue-to the Street and Water Board in
proper manner, think our desire would
be granted I have seen a great many
business men about this matter and have
not found one who has made the slightest
objection I think the statistics, as pres
ented to us by our chairman, would be
satisfactory to ALL
J. w Kidd asked Chairman Furst If the
approximate cost of the Improvement,
SIS o0O. included the four or six inches of
concrete.
.That I am not prepared to answer"
said Mr.. Furst.
Continuing, Mr.. Kidd said:-
81 do not think it a waste of money to
put down good pavement. No improve
ment to the avenue would be as good as
| asphalt it would deaden the sound Of the
heavy vehicles, it could be kept clean, and
it would be quite an attraction for light
wagons. BICYCLES, etc. l think in view of
| the vast amount of property owned by
the members of this association we should
| receive little recognition.
| 81 think our request should be granted,
| as it is nothing out Of the way. Politicians
| could not make a better showing than by
spending the money intrusted to them for
the Improvement of that thoroughfare in
stead of on side streets, that are but little
used. We should urge those in authority
to begin work as soon as possible. hope
| motion appointing a committee to see
| the proper authorities in the interest of
the Improvement will be made"
| job j. Menagh, firm of Wood & Men
agh, said
1--WE are not asking too much, and
have no doubt but that we will have our
desires fulfilled The noise made by the
traffic. as was spoken of by Mr.. Kidd, is
not SO great in winter time as it is in the
summer. because our doors are kept
closed. In summer the noise is simply
unbearable. and in many respects. inter-
feres in the conduct Of our business. |
/
will be granted
| At the conclusion of the discussion
Chairman Furst appointed J. S. Menagh
Chairman; J. q. Bernstein, J. W. koo'
M. Abernethy and A. M. Henry commit
tee to wait upon the proper authorities
so that steps in the right direction may
be taken towards asnhalting the avenue
| Chairman Furst then remarked that ne
had interviewed every member OF the
Street and Water Board on the subject
and all were in favor of improving the
/ avenue and no doubt by next spring the
/ Improvement will be under way
'sThere is one question that will con-
front us. however, he said, before
operations are started: that is whether
or not the spring is the proper time
There are certain seasons OF the yeaI
when tearing up the streets would inter
fere with our business. I think the
months of July, August and September
would be better than any of the Other
months
Quite little discussion was caused
when Mr.. Frederick Klein suggested tha'
merchants remove their signs and sheds
which he said spoiled the appearance O
the avenue.
st suggest as business men and as mel
4 who have the interest of the city at hear
/ that we take steps toward having the un
4 slightly old wooden sheds, telegraph ant
electric light poles and lamp posts re
moved. The street would look. consider
ably wider and the stores show up to
better advantage" In conclusion ne SAT-
i he hoped committee would be. appointed
to look after the appearance OF the ave
nue..
M Abernethy, who has drug store OF
Newark avenue thought the proper thinl
to do would be to have the Board Q
Aldermen enforce the ordinance pertain
4 ing to signs, etc.. and there would thel
be no chance for complaint. He sai
there are many sheds that are disgrac
To- the avenue and the property owner
should be compelled to remove them
81 Mr. Bernstein remarked that he did no
s wish to say much upon this subject, Blu
9 i ~ lo,,o1,f that the majority Of the mef