New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-09
REPORT ON EXTENSION
OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE
OImSted and Drummer Submit
Recommendations to Bor-
ouuh President MCAneny.
TWO PLANS PREPARED
Suggested That Roadway Be
Continued by Cooperation
with Highway Commission
TO Northern New York.

Fredor.ck Law Olmstcd and Arnold w.
BRUNEI who have been engaged for sew
eral months i'm the study of plans for the
extension Of Riverside Drive to the Bor-
ouCh of THE Bronx have submitted to
Borough President McAneny a report en-
bodying their recommendation.
There are four general recommended
lions. First. II is suggested that the city
acquire the land necessary for the road
way and for appropriate park strips at
certain points. probably beginning at l55th
street and including all lands and rights
west Of the drive, except the railroad
right of way. and properties near l5Sih
street and DyCkman street left for COM
mercial use, subject to restrictions as TO
heights of buildings.
The second recommendation is that the
city negotiate with the New York Cen
trail Railroad regarding the design and
cost Of street over the proposed new
railroad northward from Dyckman street
The third recommendation is that the
city have plans prepared for the con
tinuation OF Riverside Drive through the
Borough OF The Bronx along the line or
the Hudson 10 the Yonkers city line, and
that. at the same time. in cooperation
with Yonkers and the State Highway
Commission. or a special commission Gre
ated for the purpose by the Legislature
the city lay out a plan for an adequate
thoroughfare along the Hudsons east
bank IN continuation Of Riverside Drive
TO the northern part of the state
The fourth recommendation Is that the
city construct the Improvements specin-
cauv laid down by the engineers IN SO
far as the extension Of the drive TO the
Iorthernmost tip of Manhattan is con-
cerned not all at once, but section by
section. as the finances Of the city ana
local conditions will permit
For the purpose OF discussion and con-
yepience. the plan Of the continuation OF
the drive around Inwood Hin TO the bank
Of the Harlem Is divided into three sec
tious-the southern section, from 10Th 20
seth street including the crossing OF
J5Sth street valley; the middle secuon'
from l65th street TO a point about 80" feet
south OF Dyckmsn street, and the north
ern section. from the last mentioned point
northward. across the Dyckman street
valley and along the western slope OF
Inwood Hill to The Bronx.
Two distinct plans have been prepared
Plan 4. called the best plan regardless
of cost. and Plan B. involving the lowest
construction cost compatible with salts
factory results. Plan a, the more radl-
cal Of the two. contemplates an extern
sion Of the existing viaduct south OF l6oth
street in a direct line, 100 feet north
beyond that a new roadway. west OF ana
inderendent Of Boulevard Lafayette, the
present extension of the drive. il is pro-
roeed, however. to have the Cew drive
ION Boulevard Lafayette near 10th street
Plan 3 calls for the filing in Of an en-
bankment from lj5th street across the
valley TO Boulevard Lafayette. leaving
an archway for l5Sth street TO pass I'M
der. This obviates the expensive viaduct
demanded by the other plan, and IT pro-
vIdcs an opportunity 10 moderate the
abruptness OF the two bends between
Trinity Cemetery and 10th street
II IS pointed out that the estimated
cost OF Plan A. s1.01300O. IS more than
balanced by The excessive land damages
which would be assessed against the city
I'm favor Of injured property owners Il
IIan b. costing only s4S,Co0 for construc-
ton. were used. The assessed valuation
Of the property affected by this plan Is
1911 800 but the engineers have been as
sured that the damages for its acquisi-
ton would be much higher.
Furthermore. It is pointed out that the
valley contains a magnificent grove OF
trees associated with the name OF Audi
bon. end that II would be folly 10 throw
away such splendid park property by
using It as dump after acquiring II st
cost Of more than a million dollars. for
the sake Of saving half million dollars
in construction cost by emitting the VIA
duct II is therefore suggested that
Plan A be adopted.