New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-04
BUILDERS ALONG
new 81" ROUTE
Vast Volume of ConStruC-
ton Work on Jamaica
Avenue.
MANY STRUCTURES
THREE STORIES HIGH
Region Has Fine Home and
Shopping Centres, Appeal
ing to City Man.

ENDtTNS arc OlNAUtQ VII lilt QAtoNAOiA
What effect will the elevated line now
being built in Jamaica Avenue have
on the business and building growth
Of that thoroughfare The contract
for putting up the easterly section Of
the line was recently awarded, and
gangs of workmen have been busy in
the last few weeks laying the founda-
tions for the pillars Of the structure.
Opposition TO the construction of
this elevated route through Jamaica
Avenue was widespread, the principal
objections to the plan being the mar
rowness OF the highway and the heavy
damages that many property owners
would likely sustain. In the heat o.
the battle 20 prevent the building Of
the elevated line, many persons pre-
dicted that numberless dire catastro-
phes would surely aflict the avenue
Il the pleas Of the taxpayers and the
rent Davers were not needed. Some
said that business would likely be d.
verified from Jamaica Avenue to Fulton
Street. others vehemently exclaimed
that all the attractiveness Of the street
would disappear with the operation OF
the trains.
Notwithstanding these predictions,
there are extensive building scenes.
From the Cypress Hill station OF the
Lexington av. Il" line to the heart OF
Jamaica is a distance of about three
and a half miles, and as far east as
Lefferts av the store and dwelling
builders are unusually busy.
Plans were filed recently for the
erection of about twenty-five three
story brick fathouses, with stores,
along Jamaica av.
some of the most successful Queens
and Brooklyn builders figure promi-
nentlv i'm the building movement along
Jamaica av., and their activity in the
thoroughfare at the present time is
proof that they feel certain that the
elevated line, instead of being a build
ing and business deterrent, will BRING
more persons to the section, more
customers for the shops and more real
~ buyers for the old and new store
buildings along the avenue. The cen
ire of the building activity Is in the
Richmond Hill section, which for years
has been noted for its costly and arts
tic homes.
Many surface and other transit lines
lead to Richmond Hill. and this is the
predominating reason for the present
building activity along Jamaica av. cen
tring at that place Long Island Railroad
trains run from the Pennsylvania Sta
ton at SD 81. end Seventh av. to Kew
Gardens, a short distance from the ole
central home zone of Richmond Hill
II is a walk Of about ten minutes from
the Kew Gardens station 10 the shOp-
ping section on Jamaica av. Long ISL
and Railroad trains also run from the
old Long Island City station 10 Rich
mond Hill II is expected that this
branch will eventually be connected
with the under river tube sys-
TEN, and then II will be possible 70
travel safely and comfortably between
the region and the heart Of Manhattan
in about fifteen minutes. Three blocks
snuth Of Jamaica av. is the Atlantic
division of the Long Island Railroad
running between the Flatbush av. sta
ton in Brooklyn and Jamaica, and be-
ing at the present time the way most
travelled by the majority of Richmond
Hill residents, whose business address
is downtown Manhattan. or old Brook
lyn. This part Of the Jamaica territory
ID also connected to the greensboro
Bridge section Of Manhattan by the
trolley line that runs over the Hoffman
boulevard. IL is, therefore, within the
great scent fare zone Of the city.
When the Il" extension along the
avenue is i'm operation the Jamaica av
centres will be permanently joined ia
he dual subway system. and this will
moan a nvriad of transit benefits for
no entire region. Some of these bene-
fts will be: Direct elevated service 10
Inc williamsburg Bridge section of
Manhattan. and over the Centre ST. loop
40 an the Manhattan and Brooklyn
Rridpe REGIONS. Direct elevated service
10 the Fulton st. shopping centre OF
BROOKLYN. and also to the principal
smusement places Of Brooklyn. And
direct connection with the 14th ST. river
'tube line. that is intended to bring q
large part Of the growing home pam,
wicks Of the prosperous Borough OF
Queens into the dual subway system
No matter how much the realty ex-
merits may be divided on the question
as 10 what will be the effect OF the eie-
waited line on Jamaica Avenue on III
ture building there, the majority OF
them hold the opinion that the Wood
haven and Richmond Hill regions Will
continue TO be prepossessing one and
two family home colonies Tor some
wears vet. The new transit line, how
over. will tend 10 arouse the attention
Of big speculative builders. Of fiat
houses to the district, and a few years
hence some extensive hathouse projects
for the region will undoubtedly be
launched. In both the Woodhaven and
the Richmond Hill divisions there is an
abundance Of space most suitable for
the erection Of the best type Of apart
ment houses.