New-York tribune., 1911-11-19

ting an avenue some little distance 10 tne
north OF the direct line above referred TO-
7 have therefore made a careful study OF
the city plans, and FIND that by swinging
an avenue on slight curve 1t could De
made TO start at the most desirable points
and to cross Sixth avenue at its intersec-
ton with 37th street, and, furthermore
that it would pass through region which
has thus far been very little developed, so
that practically no important structures
would have to be condemned.
"An avenue as suggested would compel
the destruction of only two modern build-
ings. ore the Knox Building, at the cor
ner of Fifth avenue and 10th street, and
the other the small nine story building
only 20 feet wide, near the corner OF 5Hh
street and Sixth avenue. All the other
buildings on the line suggested are very ~
ferior structures, most OF which are no
higher than four stories, the highest one
being the old Marlborough Hotel, whlch Is
only six stories high, and presumably not
freproof.
.It seems perfectly evident that an ave-
nue. cut in this manner could develop
large amount of property which now yields
very little in taxes to the city, and would
practically give 10 the city the same prop
ertv at an immensely increased valuation.
From Fifth avenue TO Sixth avenue II
would naturally develop as branch OF the
very desirable Fifth avenue shopping re-
gion, especially so as some 2,5O feet OF
street front would be visible from the cor
ner of Fifth avenue and 10th street. 1he
crossing at Broadway would render the
buildings in the hotel and theatre district
more valuable than they are at present
and the new avenue from Broadway to the
Pennsylvania station would almost GER
tainly develop as an important new com
mercial street.
"F>,rthernore. the values Of property on
the whole of Seventh avenue would be
largely increased. Seventh avenue Is TO oe
cut through to the south; and will thus be-
come an important street for north ana
south traffic. But, as now planned, it will
serve the West Side only. If this new
avenue were cut through it would make
Seventh avenue natural means OF con-
nection between the upper West Side and
would be an especially convenient means
OF approach to the piers used by some OF
the most important ocean steamers
prom the artistic point of view the gain
would be enormous. From Fifth avenue
tbe vista down the new curved avenue
would not be unlike that Of Piccadiiiy, In
London; and sites upon IT would certainly
be sought by wealthy merchants who could
afford TO house themselves amidst hne ar
chitectural surroundings. The juncture OF
the new avenue and Broadway might be
made q centre of interest, and on the whole
of the street southwest of that point
splendid view Of the new Pennsylvania
Railroad station would be gained
",This new railway station is certainly
one OF the most important architectural
monuments I'm this country; it is serious
loss TO the city that as it exists its noble
mass cannot be adequately appreciated
and IT would surely be great gain TO the
citv's establishment if it could be seen
from a distance by a large part of the pup
lie who do not happen to be compelled 10
approach it for the purposes of travel
"In connection with the plan OF TINS ne"
avenue / have shown how it would be pos
sibIe 70 make a further great embellish-
mont of the city by constructing a plaza
in front of the Public Library. This change
might well be made by the city in connec-
,ion with the erection of new public build
inc on the east side Of Fifth avenue be
tueon 4oth and 41st streets. In fact II
eoo,re IN me that some Of our millionaires
oo,ld do no greater service to the city than
nv purchasing these two blocks. holding
them in trust for some future, II not I'M
mediate, public need