Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-01-09
MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT THAT COUNTS

Perth AmbOy is not alone In constructing q "iihoh
waterfront development. Asbury Park also is aSltatlhg 'e
expenditure of a similar amount there. The two develop
ments. however, are vastly different, but so are 1he TWO
places vastly different.
Asburv Park is a seaside resort, a place that caters 10
recreation and amusement. Perth Amboy IS an lndustrla!
civ a Mace that thrites with the development of factories,
commerce and trade. 1t is natural, therefore, that Asbury
Parks proposition should take the form OF a recreation
rier, while Perth Amboy's proposition IS 1or lrelSht snip
,,enfs and ocean-going commerce.
IF Asburv Park finds it advantageous to spend a MIL
lion dollars for a recreation pier in order to meet the com
petition of other seaside resorts, it ought to be equally al
yantageous for Perth Amboy to spend a million dollars 10
meet the competition of other seaports. If Asbury Park is
willing to spend a million dollars for a development that will
lie a source of revenue to the municipality for about three
months of the year, Perth Amboy ought to be willing to
spend a million dollars for a development that Will be a
source of revenue twelve months of the year.
There is no question that Perth Amboys greatest asset
lies in the development of her waterfront. With the new
plan on foot to develop the whole of the Port OF New YORK,
which includes Perth Amboy, it is all the more essential
That Perth Amboy make full use OF the natural advantages
that her matchless location offers.
In this Connection with the success of New York City
ever in mind, it is highly desirable that Perth Amboy Sc
cure possession of as much of her waterfront as possible.
The time will come, and it is rapidly approaching, when
every foot along the water will be immensely valuable. The
land can never be bought as cheaply again. For the sake OF
future generations, if not for ourselves, the city should
strain every point to get possession of as much of this water
front property as possible. 1t Will mean millions OF oollars
u UDc ClIy III tC uuulb
There are now pending several purchases that ought TO
be consumated as soon as possible. These include the gas
works tract adjoining Caledonia park on the river front, the
Meredith tract at Market and Water Streets adjoining Bay
view park and the property a, the foot Of Fayette street that
niaht be linked up with the present city dock on the sound.
An of these tracts the city needs badly and if the new Board
IL Aldermen want to start off by doing something really
worth while for the city they will buy these tracts and, at
te same time. proceed with waterfront development along
the river, tentative plans for which have already been drawn.
Other municipalities with not nearly the advantages
that Perth Amboy possesses are going ahead along this line.
This city cannot afford to lag. All that is needed is for some
far-seeing men to take hold of affairs and overcome the
obstacles that are always thrust in the way Of really big
projects.
If the new Board of Aldermen should concentrate on
The waterfront for the coming year, doing everything posi-
bic for It's development, it would be advancing the interest
of the city in a way that will count more and more as time
passes.
OF course, to properly develop this feature along with
The city as a whole, a comprehensive city plan covering
every phase of municipal development is highly desirable.
No really great project can be successfully carried out with
out a definite plan. But plan or no plan, no mistake can be
made in making full use of the city's wonderful harbor.