New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-01
TO WIDEN CENTRAL YARDS
CITY ASKED BY THE COMPANY TO
CLOSE PART OF PARK-ATE.
AVENUE TO THE EAST. AND GIVE THE
COMPANY \ STRIP FIFTY FEET WIDE.

THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO SWING THE
AVENUE TO THE EAST. AND GIVE THE
COMPANY a STRIP FIFTY FEET WIDE.
The New-York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Company yesterday made public
letter which the company drew up last week
and which was sent to the Mayor yesterday.
The purpose of this letter is TO secure from the
city, if possible, consent and cooperation, to
ena bic the road 70 do all in its power under
the present laws to enlarge the terminal facili-
ties at the Grand Central Station, and relieve
congestion in the tunnel AS the road believes
that neither an underground loop nor a change
in motive power be made without special
legislation, 1t now seeks to do what it can TO
enlarge the switching facilities on the surface
To this end, in effect the city is petitioned to
allow tire west portion of Park-ave, from For
ty-ninth to Fifty-sixth st, to be closed, and
also to close parts of FortysiXth. Forty-seN-
enth Forty-eghth and Forty-ninth SITS. abut-
ting on the present yard. The railroad now
Owls or controls most of the abutting property.
and the effect of the change would be to swing
Park-ave., from Fifty-sixth-st. down to the end
of the present yard east just one-half of its
width giving the road a :rO-foot strip of land
for switching purposes. from Forty-sixth TO
Fifty-sixth St, which four perhaps five
tracks could be laid
The letter in part follows:
1t seems that under the PROVISIONS OF the city
charter. and of Chapter 1905 of the Laws Of 1895
the city has authority close those portions OF the
streets which required by the railroad company
The company most of the land on both
sides of the streets be discontinued and will
undoubtedly be able either to acquire the remain
der. obtain ali necessary consents with re-
spect thereto. and II appears that the city DOW
has authority discontinue and to convey the dis
continued portions OF these streets to the railroad
pany owns or controls the property on both sides
of Park-ave
With respect to that portion OF Park-ave be-
tween tfftieth and tifty-siXth SITS. although the
discontinued portion is the side of the
avenue, where the railroad controls most
ton to whether the company would be entitled
TO a conveyance after that portion of the avenue
discontinued. The city may however. close the
desired portion and when this is done. If the
pany is unable TO obtain all such consents as may
be necessary in order to enable the city to con-
vey to it the discontinued portions there seems
to be no reason why the railroad company may not.
under authority Of the railroad law, condemn the
discontinued portion
The railroad company now owns or controls a
ton OF Park-aVe-. and there does not appear
difficulty in the city. without expense to It,
Quring title to this property under the provisions
OF the city charter.
agreements with the city in respect to these mat
ters and indemnify the city against any loss
expense resulting from the proposed changes.
The subject is brought 70 your attention in
this manner in order to ascertain whether the
counsel for the city Concurs In the conclusion OF
face yard be made without waiting for further
legislation.