New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-29
WANTS WATERFRONT ~
New York Central Offers New
Plan for West Side.
TO COVER TRACKS IN PARK
Offers 20 Clear Surface by Build
ing Overhead Structure as Far
South as Cortlandt Street.

Under the McCleland bill passed by the
Legislature some months ago the New
York Central Railroad yesterday presented
to the Board Of Estimate a plan for the
removal Of its tracks on the West side
OF the city from the surface and the sub
stitution OF an elevated and underground
road. Dock Commissioner Tomkins. 10
whom It was referred for report. said :.
did not coincide with his ideas for settling
the problem. and that he would later pre-
sent his own plan. The Commissioners
wishes the city TO build marginal road
along West street. which may be jointly
occupied by the New York Central and
other railroads
The New York Central plan has not been
approved by the board Of directors. so that
the company did not bind itself TO any
thing. Nice-President Place frankly stated
that he would like to have the view, OF
the Board Of Estimate as to the plan be-
fore presenting II TO the directors.
The plan called for the covering Of the
tracks along Riverside Drive and the
building OF an elevated structure from
I'D street as far south as Cortlsndt street
Whatever rights the railroad may have
as Ear south as Canal street. they have No
franchise below that, YET no mention was
made by the company Of any connpenss-
ton 10 be paid FOR the tracks 70 Cortlsndt
street
According 70 the plan presented. the
streets from Spuyten DuyVl 10 I'D street
VIII be carried over the tracks except be
tween 18th and l3sth streets where the
tracks viii be elevated
The removal Of tracks from the surface
of city streets was stated as the primary
purpose Of the ulsn. which calls for the
removal Of substantially 20 90 iines feet
of such tracks. The second purpose stated
was the substitution OF electricity for
steam AZ motive power, and the third the
enlargement OF the terminal facilities Of
the company so IS 10 more adequately meet
the needs Of shippers 70 and from New
York.
Tn. company estimated that n would
have 20 spend some S65 10000 70 fully carry
ont its plan. and that SiS00."D would
have 20 be laid ont before the plan could
be put into operation at all.
Speaking u the proposition Of the New
York Central, Dock Commissioner Tomkins
said.
Under the McClelland- Walker act ana
the two cullen acts the city Of New York
has ample power 10 organize a general
railroad aud steamship terminal on the
West Side Of Manhattan Island. The law
permits Of either public OF private con
struction and use, and II rests with the
Board Of Estimate TO negotiate with tho
New York Central 10 determine the char
acter Of the agreement which shall DE en-
tered INTO between the city ana the COM
pdHy.
To facilitate prompt consideration out
lined in a general way 10 the New York
Central officials what reservations the city
should make In my Judgment, and have
already prepared preliminary plans. But
from recent conferences and brief peruSai
Of the plan as now presented take II
that il does not conform 10 my IDEAS.
The New York Central yesterday also
submitted plans for covering over the cen
trail spaces Of Park avenue between Goth
and 55th streets. in accordance with the
assurance Of President Brown Of that COM
pdny.
These changes are not required for rail
road PURPOSES reads the letter OF Ira 4.
Place. vice-president Of the company, and
substantially the entire resulting beneht
will accrue TO the property abutung on
Park avenue. II they are made by the
company. II hopes and Will expect that
the owners Of this abutting property VIII
accept them and other changes that the
company has made. the net result OF wnlch
has greatly enhanced the value OF this
property I'm full satisfaction ~ all that tbs
company ought TO do.