Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-01-20
THE GAS WORKS AND CITY PLAN

TIE VINO sOf'N
Once more fhe desirabilltv Of having a city plan with a
Coming system impresses itself upon the people OF Perth
Amboy.
What are we going to do with the gas works now loca-
led in the heart of one of the finest residential dlstrlc's anu
Immediately adjoining one of the most attractive parks that
the city has?
The question can be answered only after we have de-
cided what is to be done with our waterfront. Is the entlre
stretch from The railroad bridge around the Blum all the way
to the Lehigh Valley docks and beyond, TO be turned over *
olusively to industry and commerce?
If there is to be certain sections of the waterfront re-
served for the people, as there should be, what sections are
10 be so reserved?
The people have a right to know these things. A man
does not want to invest in a home only to find that within a
few years ne is living in the midst of warehouses and fac
tories.
That the gas works in their present location are a detrl-
ment to much valuable residential real estate is evident.
Either the gas works should be cleaned out OF that section OF
The city, or the people should be given to understand that
he vicinity in which the gas works are located IS to be de-
soted to industry.
While it is true that the waterfront is the only location
Tor commerce which naturally attracts industry to that Vi
.inity, the fact remains that any city with a waterfront such
IS Perth Amboy possesses ought TO set apart at least some
pf the shore for the enjoyment of the people.
With all the congestion along the waterfront OF Man
haitian island. particularly the downtown section, New York
still has her Battery Park and nothing can persuade her to
,elinauish it. Here is a delightful playground for>the people
with the municipal baths where the teemlnS population VINO
cannot get far away from the city in summer can get the
POOLING breezes off the bay and enjoy a dip in the water.
1t is reasonable to suppose that Perth Amboy will also
reserve a section of her waterfront for such a purpose. And
We doubt if a more suitable spot can be found than from the
loot Of High street where the city already has the beginning
If an attractive park, to Catalpa or Brighton avenue. Yet
his can never be developed with an enlarged gas works so
dose.
But the gas company cannot wait forever for the city to
rake up its mind as to what it intends to do along its water
FONT. The company has been ordered by the Public Utility
omission to increase its facilities SO as to give this city
letter service. 1t has got to build another large contalner
nd increase its output OF gas.
What is the city going to do about it?
A decision has got to be reached within The next month
II two. Will the aldermen permit this high class residential
cotton to be utterly wiped out? And if they do, what are
hey going to do to replace such a residential section? The
lily is already nearly all built up. If those who own prop
rv and live in the southern section of the city are to be
lriven away by the constantly encroaching industries, piers
md warehouses, where are they to go? Are they to be de-
iberately driven into neighboring towns and cities such as
Woodbridge, Metuchen, plainield, Matawan and Red Bank
where they can be sure of a high class residential section in
which to establish a home and bring up a family?
These are serious things, far more serious than some
eho are in a position of responsibility realize. A comprehen-
I'VE CITY plan would solve The difficulty.
In the meantime, what of the gas works property?