The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-05
CENTRAL TOGO UNDERGROUND
WILL DROPITS TRACKS AND OPEN
STREETS NOW CLOSED.
Only II Asks the city 10 Pay Part Of tho
Cost-POrmal Oner TO the city Likely
to Re Accepted-Plans Include .
subway Connection At A7d street.

subway Connection At A2d street.
The New York Central railroad presented
TO the Board of Estimate yesterday a new
plan for the Improvement OF the terminal
facilities at the Grand Centre al Station,
and the board is likely to accept il.
The plan fulfils the demands of the Park
avenue and reighhoring property owners
that the Central instead of closing sections
OF cross streets between Forty-ffth and
Fifty-seventh streets shall depress its
tracks and construct a new yard beneath
those sr,ets. bridging the streets now cut
in two. The only concession the company
asks IL that the city shall bear part of the
expense of the Improvement. Ira A. Place,
OF counsel for the company, who presented
the Contral's proposals. minated that the
share OF the expense the city would he asked
to pay would be the cost of bringing the
cross streets by proper approaches TO the
grade Of the bridges. The right to use
the bridges for signal and other necessary
apparatus is also to be given
Along that part of the avenue where the
Improvement is contemplated there are now
only two wagon bridges-one at Forty
ninth street and another between Fifty
third and Fifty-fourth streets to connect
the Fast and West sides If the Board of
Estimate sanctions the railroads plan
every street crossing Park avenue be-
tween Forty-ffth al Fifty-seventh streets
will be brilged over. These bridges will
be constructed at grade not 10 exceed
per cent Mr.. Place showed that the
natural gradients of many OF the streets
in the neighDorhood of the Grand Central
Station are greater than this
The proposals were contained in a letter
signed by President Newman. They in
clude an offer TO eliminate seven grade
crossings at Morris Heights, Fordham
he ghts, hingsbridge and Eigh Bridge by
constructing the necessary bridges and
abutments, the company 10 do all the work
within Its own lines at its own expense
the city to bring the streets by proper ap-
proaches to the grade of the bridges.
The plans for the new terminus provide
for a large inner driveway at the station
itself, which will greatly relieve the traffic
In Forty-second street. Ibis driveway
80 feet In Wild, h, is to run from Forty-ffth
street. down on the west side OF the ter
minal. TO near Forty-second street, where
II Will run east 100 ieet " ide, and then up
street again. 1t will lie above the level
of the tracks and will provide for direct
communication with the baggage rooms.
IL is also proposed by The company to
build subway beginning at Fiity-third
street and continuing 10 Forty-second
street and Park avenue. TO connect with the
Raj id Transit Railroad.
Some ouJ.ctio..s 10 the plan were still
maze ny the property owners who attended
the meeting Ono speaker protested
against the city bearing any part of the
cost OF the contemplated changes
On, you Leedn't worry about that"
said Comptroller Grout, this board will
scan that part Of the plan very carefully
Addressing Mr.. Place the Comptroller
said: Il wa I 10 object 20 your posi.g as a
phia- thropist and tryi.g to show tina, your
railroad Is bel < operated merely for the
good of the city | should ike you TO
explain tie company's occupation of prop
erty at Fory-sixth street, extending $50 feet
TO Lexington avenue. Your company en-
closed that ground with a wall with no
other right than Permit issued by the
former Highways Commissioner, and with
out the assent of the Aldermen"
MIR. Place replied tina, the company
believed that Mr.. keatilg had the au-
thority TO permit the ocCupa, ion Of tho
property. Anyway, If the company was
illegally occupying ground the city could
easilv Dust It.
vii YOU submit 10 this board a com
Piete statement OF the property YOU are
occupying and where aud how you came
by it, asked the Comptroller.
Most willingly replird Mr.. Place.
The p ans, on the motion of Mayor Low,
were referred TO committee Consisting
Of the Mayor. the Comptroller, President
Cantor Of Manhattan and Pr. Sident Haien
Of The Bronx. The committee is to report
by Dec. IL.
After the meeting the MAYOR and Comp
troller said they We're favorablv impressed
with the plans. At tie meotirg Of he
RAJ i'd Transit Commission Mr.. Low nth
mated tia, they would probably be
adopted. lie said:
OF cours' ! am rot prepared to say
what viii be the final action f the Board
Of 7 stiTa'", but ! can say that the general
ori' ion Ct TIE board i in favor of the plan
| car imaCi!e no objection that can lie
laised to a connection of the Centrals
ines with the subway; on the contrary,
] think il would to n great advantage 10
the travelling public"