New-York tribune., 1902-11-20
NEW BRIDGE APPROACHES
PROPOSED STREET WOULD DESTROY
RED LIGHT" DISTRICT.
A DIRECT APPROACH THROUGH THE
BOwERY Is ALSO PLANNED-THE
WHOLE MAY COST SIS 10000

Mayor Low last night announced large plans for
the Manhattan approaches of the Williamsburg
Bridge. They involve expense or from SllVtDVV
10 sl5oOa00. and provide for the following ap-
proaches
A new diagonal street, 100 feet wide, starting
from the bridge plaza, at Clinton and Delaney
sts TO Cooper Square. wiping out a large section
Of the red light district
A direct approach, running from the Shhloh-s|
plaza across the Bowery. through spring-st' TO
Elm-st., ending at a station Of the subway
A new thoroughfare 100 feet wide. to connect
bridges Nos and 3. going through suffolk-st TO
where Suffolk strikes East Broadway and Canal at
Seward Park.
Mayor Low some time ago asked the Art Com
mission TO ma ke suggestions for the new approach
10 the Williamsburg Bridge. The commission
turned the subject to special committee con-
ssting OF President Warner of the Art Comrnls-
sion A Augustus Healy and Frederick W. Rhine
lander This committee turned in its report 10
Mayor Low this week. It's main features are as
outlined.
II should be glad to give out the text of the re-
port of the special committee said Mayor Low
last night but I find that have left 1t at home
The Art Commission gave the subject thorough
consideration and has made a report that VIII De
presented to the Board Of Estimate and Apportion-
ment. The commission has rendered the assistance
asked Of it, and the report has been WITHDRAWN
from its further consideration. The Board OF Est-
mate and Apportionment feels very much ophSeo
70 II for the assistance
One Of the considerations that appealed strongly
60 the Art Commission in suggesting the diagonal
thoroughfare TO Cooper Square that it trav-
erses a section of the ''red light district where
the tenements are squald and where the police
have trouble in combating vice. The plans XIII
three birds with stone, namely: PROVIDE a
thoroughfare that be utilized TO good purpose
destroy part Of the red light district and in
-,olve the rebuilding Of many wretched tenements.
which will give way to up to date buildings
When the diagonal thoroughfare suggested
by Borough President Coogan and Engineer Risse,
Tna Was Ilgbl
at s20O0oO0l more thorough apprasement Of the
district traversed by the proposed new thorough
fares the probable of the street widen
ing and new street to 100000 one-half of which
be assessed abutting property that Will be
enhanced in value by the improvements
The making of thoroughfare connecting the
Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges by widening
SuffoIk-st. from Delancey-st. to East Broadway
bears In vital manner the solution Of the rapid
transit problem in of the most thickly popu-
lated districts of the city II is believed that plans
and retirnjng to Br3okIyn across the other bridge
The driving through of new street 100 feet wide
from the Clinton-st plaza to Cooper Square VII VII
business WorlS & CONTINUOUS % rae to COOPER Union; ION
Set the ecesssry hermit to use the new street
The plans Of the Art Commission are only tenta-
posed diagonal street is likely be enormously
pensiye but not SO expensive as when @ hrst pro. %
blocks it traverses The proposal to connect the
oughfare down Clinton OF Suffolk st, to Seward
Park seems practical idea. I would not under
take 10 estimate the cost of the improvements at
this time"
The thoroughfare 10 Em-st. will be made nearly
straight by widening Spring-st- There will be
Jog at the Bowery. diagonally across from De
lancey-st.. but by widening Delancey-st. from the
north side and Spring-st. from the south side the
Jog will not be at all awkward BY making
direct approach TO the new bridge from Elm-st..
where there is 10 he subway station, ii IS thought
that soUthbound traffic for Brooklyn will be divert
ed to some extent, thus relieving the crush at the
Brooklyn Bridge.
One OF the novel features Of the new diagonal
street from Cnton-st. to Cooper Square is that II
will pass Immediately south OF the old Marble
Cemetery. between First and Second sts. and First
and Second aves.
II is understood at the City Hall that Mayor Low
is in favor Of the proposed approaches. and that
his views will be supported before the Board of
Estimate by many influential persons