New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-24
FRANCES TAVERN PARK.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: little over year ago ordinance was
enacted by which the city plan was altered by the
creation OF a park occupying the western half OF
the block bounded by Pearl Broad and Water SITS
and Coenties slip. The historic Fraunces Tavern
in which Washington babe farewell 20 his officers
on December 4 17S3 and IN which other notable
events occurred. occupies about one-hfth Of the
area
This park established after repeated adver-
Using and public hearings; after every conceivable
aspect OF the subject had been considered. and
after the protests OF the occupants OF the property
had been duly considered. and. with the exception
OF single voice, the action Of the municipal au-
thorities unanimous at every stage % the pro-
ceedings- The local board OF the Bowling Green
district unanimously proposed It. the Board or
Estimate and Apportionment with only Controller
CIRCUITS vote against it) approved Il on December
70 1902; the Committee Education of the Board
OF Aldermen unanimously recommended Il on jan
uary p 1903; the Board OF Aldermen unanimously
adopted II January q 1888. and the Mayor
signed II on February g. 1893. SO FAR as legislation
is concerned therefore. Fraunces Tavern Park
has existed for more than year, and II IS the
duty Of the proper authorities 20 acquire ths prop
erty and 10 give effect 20 the ordnance
BY Chapter 400 Of the Laws OF 1913 the power 70
change the plan OF the city so as 10 lay out new
parks was vested exclusively in the Board OF Esti-
mate and Apportionment. subject 20 the approval
Of the Mayor. who Is a member Of the board
Awaiting himself OF the change OF the law and
the administration Controller Grout January
15 1905. moved 70 institute proceedings 70 acquire
the tavern alone by condemnation. and 70 instruct
the engineer 70 prepare map Gboshing the other
four-hfths Of ire park Such a map has been pre-
pared. leaving not foot % space between the
tavern and adjoining buildings and Il viii be
adhered a. q public hearing before the Board %
Estimate in the City Han on Friday. February e.
at 1870 a
Against the curtaineut % a legally created park
I trust your readers VIII make their earnest pro-
test felt either by personal presence at the hear
ing or by letter the Mayor.
There has been so much Misrepresentation con-
corning this park that the following facts may
sist your readers 20 form intelligent Judgment:
The designated area OF the park comprises about
three-tenths O.2O % an acre. occupied by old
four and FIVE story brick buildings. Seventy per
cent OF the land is occupied by saloons and liquor
dealers. and 30 per cent by ship chambers. coffee
importers and dealers IN oils grease. varnish.
whaleb0ne, etc
The FIRE risk presented by these combustibIe es-
adjustments. 20 say nothing OF other considera-
tons. is great that the conversion OF this half
block into q park viii be a great boon 10 the sur
rounding property and Is absolutely essential to
the safety OF the tavern.
The nine lots comprising this area and their
buildings are taxed at S2s350J. which the tax Of
hcials 10 be IS per cent Of their full value.
The fun value. therefore is S277.S6S and not the
eNtravagant figures which have appeared In the
This price is not unprecedented. It IS at the rate
Mulberry Bend Park cost at the rate Of Sss Sc and
Washington fayette Park cost at the rate OF
There are also erroneous notions about the cost
Estimated ocsily ~ 81 - isee cbief eTgineer's
report, November s. 1902 And that is a generous
figure
ln,e, cost OF the park win not be assessed on on F.
nelshborlng property zee same rePoIt OF T cnleI
airy Is, lso) 1t viii be borne by the city al large.
terests which viii 5e benefited by The removal OF .
the danger spot and the enhanced value Of The F
greater than the interests which will DO incon- .
The stas9t tsat there Is any desire Ss on !, the 3S
contrary. this suggestion first appears in report
% s AFs5sPt enEd dated 81 s used as
support for the contr9eTs opposing plan plan ,It
the hearing that date They are absolutely 4
fT6@ is original fls f 5Sia
Greater immunity from IRE is not the only reason I
FOR the park with the Every park has It's i
local uses The neighboring jeanette Park al GO; \
shipping mont Of soath-st and sifords accom-,
Psopie .. hat neshboThood Fraunoes Tavern
Park viii Accommodate tle thoesangs o. ioEeIs 90
properly Tehabiiitated and the OCCUPANTS Of the
sgh5OrRg b Sq 5s Ssbe the Controller has sGs
gested cornpromise oetMee. - p,. ,,.n1
h neitSer Al nor a safe adjunct 10 this famous
y, ~ more distant battery Park. which has
also been mentioned reason FOR no more PARKS
c fi s sSssoas s have = ne eleysted
Ts afS7 ,Gf fsn they We're asked give the
people IN Fraunces' Tavern PARK -, ,. |
districts Is nI1stratsd BY the large number OF type
writer garis and others who utilize trinity CnHEch
"a "a FOR their MONDAY outing IN summer uine /
IL should be distinctly understood mat Ne ~ /
not now contending for the creation OF rev pa,rA
II has alreadv been established by OF dinance- We
are now defending Il from dismeran IIlenC me /
proposition to curtafl Il Is not new. II was SUI
rested by the Controller IA the last boeIo OF Esu-
mate and his colleagues UNANIMOUSLY '"'s0 HAlH
down - -. - -, |
what shall we think Of the stability OF our local
government Y after the una5lIlSss NJ N. u
ordinance WAS proposed approved Sho eItetSo. a
eIhs
- EDWARD HAGAMAN HALL
Secretary American Scenic and E1sto<-G <ts@eE- |
walton Society. 4
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