New-York tribune., 1920-11-16
City Gets Plans
Of Big Jamaica
Harbor Project
SlO0,OO0.OOO To Be Spent
in BulAhcads, Piers and
Warehouses in 10 Years
if Proposal Is Accepted
Would Have 5O-Yr. Lease
Company Offers $l,25O.OO0
Rental for 95O.Acre Tract
That Is Now Swampland


provement on city-owned land in
Jamaica Bay were submitted yesterday
by Alton II. Greeley, of Cleveland, to
a special subcommittee of the Board
Guardia, President Of the Board of
Aldermen: Borough President Edward
Regelmann of Brooklyn, and Borough
President Maurice E. Connolly of
Queens. Henry A. Meyer, Deputy Dock
Commi ssioner; Congressman William
E. Cleary and Congressman-elcct
Charles G. Bond, of the 9Th Congress
sional District; representatives of the
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce md
the Jamaica Board of Trade attended
the hearing.
Mr.. Greeley, who is president Of the
American Chain of Warehouses, an or
gnnization having affiliations with
more than 100 warehouses in as many
cities throughout the country, de-
clared that he was ready to procsed
with the project as soon as the city
accepted the terms which he outlined,
OF others to be arrived at by negotie
tion.
He said that the first step proposed
by his organization would be to eXpend
$4,000 900 in the construction OF 5000
feet of bulkhead, six piers 1000 feet
long, warehouses, streets and indus
t,ial plants. He would proceed with
~
as the remainder of the tract could be
filled sin. He hoped that the entire
project, calling for upward of $l0o,-
100000 in construction work, would be
completed within ten years, the whole
development to be constructed IN
substantial way with a view to per-
manence.
Site Is Now Swampland
The tract of land which the Greeley
development concerns comprises about
$50 acres situated east of the proposed
extension of Flatbush Avenue between
Mill Basin and Barren Island. At the
present time it is for the most part
meadow and swampland and, save tor a
few squattcrs who have erected shacks,
is entirely unoccupied and yields no
revenue to the city.
For the use of this land Mr.. Greeley
offers to pay to the city total rental
of 81 l,250,0O0 for n fifty-year grant, or
an average of 900 a year. Comp
troller Craig has estimated the value
Of the land at about $500 an acre, or a
total of about $C00,O00 At this valuation
the Greeley offer would mean a return
to the city of slightly more than per
cent per annum. The entire tract was
decided to the city by the state in 1910,
when the city agreed to work on the
Jamaica Bay Improvement, and repre-
sents no actual cash investment by
the city
The city has been unable to go for
ward with the improvement because Of
the lack Of the necessary funds. What
the city will gain by the Greeley de-
velopment, as claimed by Mr.. Greeley,
is this: At the end of the fifty-5 ear
period the entire tract, with all the
improvements thereon, will revert to
the city free and clear; it is estim mated
that the value of the land at that time
will DE $4,000, 900, and that the value
of the improveme including docks.
wharves, warehouses, railroad facili-
ties, etc, will be approximately $780,
000 900; the rental, $3.50, 900.
On the other hand the city will suf-
fer a book loss of the amount that
would be collected if the property were
held by private owners. This, based on
the Craig valuation, in the course Of fifty
years without any improvements being
made, would amount to approximately
81 ,000,0 900. The cost to extend F.atbush
Avenue, at present prices of labor and
materials, is estimated at $4,000, 900.
The city would be required to expend
about $250,0o0 to meet the cost Of
dredging the main interior channel.
This money is in excess of the amount
appropriated by the Federal govern
ment for the purpose. The city already
has appropriated funds for the work.
The city also would have to grant fran
chise rights for the construction OF a
railroad to connect with the Bay Ridge
division of the Long Island Railroad
system.
Other Cities Bid for Project
Congressman Cleary, the representa-
tives of the Brooklyn and Jamaica
civic organizations and the New York
State Waterways Association urged tn
committee to act favorably en- the
Greeley proposal. The committee sug-
gcsted that the terms might be sub
!cct to negotiation. Mr.. Greeley said
he would give careful attention to anv
counter proposal made by the city and
would increase his own offer if the
city showed way to reduce costs
The committee adjourned after askinc
Mr. Greeley to furnish it with dctaile,
figures as to his proposal