Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-04-14
PERTH AMBoY AND THE BUILDING BOOM

ferent places.
While there seems to be considerable building going on
here it consists mainly of public structures or buildings OF
a semi-public type, together with stores and business houses
There is very little home building in Perth Amboy.
In striking contrast with the character of the building
going on here the building in neighboring towns IS almost
entirely residential. 1t would seem as if Perth Amboy has
about reached its limit as a place of residence under existing
conditions.
This is not a healthy state of affairs. To be a city of
homes is a proud boast, but Perth Amboy can never claim
such distinction when the building of houses here has prac-
tically ceased and apartments already built are vacant.
This, perhaps, is the most serious problem that con-
fronts Perth Amboy today. We may eliminate our grade
crossings; we may pave our. streets; we may grant permls-
sion for railroad sidings to help our Industries (although
there doesn't seem to be any great desire along these lines).,
Int unless we make the city a place in which the people want
10 live, unless we do something to make the people happy
and contented we are not going to get very far.
Granting that this matter of home building and creating
a desire on the part of the people to live here is Perth Am
BOYS greatest problem, how is is best to be solved! What
are we doing TO find the correct solution?
People who are interested in the city and who desire
10 see it grow and prosper express real concern OF the state
Of affairs as they are at present. City officials who are really
sincere in their desire to do something to revive the old
Dot. 4Amboy spirit are in a dilemma. They lack the hearty
and enthusiastic support of the citizens The more suDstan-
til element of the community seem to be more interested
in how they can arrange their affairs so as to live somewhere
else and commute rather than give their thought and energy
10 making Perth Amboy what it ought to be.
Unless this attitude can be changed the outlook for
Perth Amboy is not bright. If the people who own property
here, live here and do business here are not going l o get
behind the city and boost, it can hardly be expected that
anyone else will.
The present situation is a pity when there are such
great opportunities here for building up a great metropolis.
With our excellent harbor and waterfront, our railroad Ia
cilities and location within the metropolitan district there IS
no reason why Perth Amboy should not be one of the most
forward Hooking municipalities in the state.
What is the answer?
There must be some solution. There must be some
thing that can pull Perth Amboy out of the rt, free it from
the letters that seem to bind it fast at the present time anc
start it moving enthusiastically forward to the glorious fu-
ue that nature has made possible for us. There must be
somthing that can be done to change the knockers into
boosters; to bring desirable people here to make their homes
instead of driving those already here out into the suburbs
. live. "es~isSsa<sEss s
! What is the solution?
The Evening News believes that the very foundation
<er Perth Amboy's future greatness is a comprehensive
city plan. 7'r|
n greatest faults lie. We have got to learn of our weak
points and realize our strong points and we have got to make
the one help the other.
We have got to look into the future and plan today forl
the bigger things that are in store.
The first thing is to- take an inventory of the city. This
does not mean merely an inventory of city property. LII
means a thorough and comprehensive study OF the entire city
and surrounding territory. 1t means expert advice by men
who are skilled and experienced in this sort of work-men|
who can come here knowing what other cities have done and
who are able to see possibilities in Perth Amboy that have
escaped the majority of those living here because of their
nearneSs TO them.
Once this inventory is taken and we have a full reali-
cation of the material we have to work with, a comprehen-
sive city plan can be drawn up for future municipal develop
ment just as any large industrial concern will have a plan
for the development of its plant so that as each unit is added
IL works in harmony with the rest making, when completed,
one ideal industry.
The possibilities of Perth Amboy will then be laid
before the people in a way that they can see what is being
aimed at. They can see the Perth Amboy of the future and
they will want to have a part in making such a city.
Such a plan showing Perth Amboy in all its greatness
will be something to enthuse over; it will be something to
aim at and work for. Then, each year as the development
Goes on, accomplishing something worth while, little by
little, but always with the great city of the future in view
fhose who desire to boost will have something to boost for.
Iho old slogan Of Talk Perth Amboy' can be revived SO
fhoijt psaps soms!hine