New-York tribune., 1905-01-03
SEEKS A CITY BEAUTIFUL.
WANTS MANY CHANGES.
Ne7o Recommendations by the I'M
prouement Commission.

The Ncw-York City Improvement Commission
yesterday turned in TO the Mayor and the Board Of
Aldermen interesting report, covering nearly
one hundred pages. as the result of its twelve
months OF study for the sprucing up OF Father
Knickerboeker's domain. II all the proposed
changes were made at once, the wayfaring man
weUld hardly recognize the town afterward. but
the commission states that il is simply planning TO
work toward harmonious and desirable ideals as
fast as practicable. taking care that future i'm
provements shall be along right lines.
The first recommendation concerns the North
River waterfront. Says the commission
improvements on the piers have heretofore been
oait for the most part by the lessees Of the city
according 70 such plans as they might seTerally
improvements on the piers owned by the city We're
made either by the city itself or by its essees ac-
eorong 20 certain general lines determined upon in
by the iessees and with view to sppropriate and
harmonious architectural effect, uniformity OF
construction would ultimately be secured and in
srchitectara Appearance worthy of the City ana in
sIeat contrast to the medley OF different forms OF
construction now existing the result of the sys-
ten OF allowing each individual lessee 10 build along
enee 20 the surroundings.
II might not be possible, nor would it be neces-
latitude would be required TO meet commercial re-
enirements but general harmonious and sym,
without any substantial sacrifice of material in
terests The roofs OF the constructions on the piers
can at certain places be adapted for recreation
piers and these suitable intervals be connected
slth long1tudinal promenaoes, open to the public
Under proper safesuerds so as TO afford 10 the con-
the waterfront. and thereby In a degree meet the
demand for more park space in such districts An
roofs Of warehouses on the docks has been adopted
at Antwerp with success
Another suggestion is parkway along West one
Observation-Disclosures connecting the North
River waterfront with the new parks in The Bronx
by way OF Washington Bridge and the Grand Boule-
ward and ConcOurse. The stoop lns Of Fifth-ave
north OF Twenty third-st can be abolished and the
sidewalks extended to the building line. and sew
and n1TF Foa -,
walks each side and thrown into the roadway
thereby adding some fifteen feet the space avail
Rble for vehicle traffic and largely relieving the
congestion OF that thOroughfare. the commission
says.
There is a plan 20 have one-half OF Forty-second-
at pass under F1fth-ave.. and the through traffic
confined 20 that half leaving the other half for
the traflo to and from Forty-secOnd-st and Fifth
itself Another suggestion is 10 sink the centre
only OF Forty -second-st as to allow the surface
10 pass under Fifth-aYe leaving the remain
der OF Fortysecond-st for other surface travel TO
cross Fifth-ave at grade. A suggestion regarding
the avenue is the following:
In Fifth-ave.. from Fifty-ninth-st. 20 One-hun-
dred-snd-tenth- st the wall OF Central Park could
be removed trees be planted the easterly side Of
cay% % sded to centra rark % terebg furnishing an
additional driveway in the park and reducing much
OF the congestion which now exists. North of One
hundred -and-tenth-st. to the Harlem River trees
roadway treated as a driveway north. connecting
Central Park by bridge across the Harlem with the
he Bronx.
The comm isson recommends interior street
between Fifty-ninth-st and SiKtieth-st. leading 10
the BlackweIPs Island Bridge plaza, the interior
street 10 be an arcade for pedestrians only with a
subway for trolley This would remove the
crossing OF the surface from the entrance OF
Central Park Fifth-ave. well as take such
of Fifty-ninth-st.. east OF Fffth-ave-, thus
leaving the interior and Fiftyninth-st free
FOR ordinary surface travel 10 the bridge.
The commission adds:
The city Hall is OF the few good monuments
possessed by the city. and il would seem plainly
advisable that this locality should be definitely set
tied upon the civic centre and that all admins
traton buildings OF the greater city as a whole
should he grouped around this park Open an ave
nue from the terminus OF Brooklyn Bridge TO a
point of intersection with the proposed extension
of Flatbush-aye. near Concord-st. Make a circle
at this intersection shown on the map submit
ted herewith. A plaza in common Tor the Brook-
lvn and Manhattan bridges IN Brooklyn, as shown
on the map. would form a great natural gateway
10 the borough and would offer great opportunities
for dividing and relieving the congestion OF traf1c
Widen Westinghouse. from the Borough f1all
Square to the entrance Of the Brooklyn Bridge,
laying out a park open square on each SIDE OF
Washington-st extending in width from Fulton-st-
TO Adams-st.. ard running from the present ter
minus OF the Brooklyn Bridge TO the postof1ce-
subways in Delancey-st. for the crosstown troll
ley and a subway loop terminal for the Black
wells Island Bridge recommended, with per
manent artistic reviewing stand In Fnth-aVe.' op-
posste Twenty-hfth-st