Case Name: In re ADAMS, Commissioner of Public Works
Court: New York Supreme Court, General Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1893-12-01
Citations: 26 N.Y.S. 422
Docket Number: 
Parties: In re ADAMS, Commissioner of Public Works.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 26
Pages: 422–423

Head Matter:
(73 Hun, 581.)
In re ADAMS, Commissioner of Public Works.
(Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department.
December 1, 1893.)
Eminent Domain—Nominal Damages.
In a proceeding to condemn land in a large city for a street, it appeared that the executors of a former owner had filed a map in which the land to be taken appeared as a street. A certificate indorsed on the map stated that the streets 'designated were solely for the purpose of reference, and that there was no intention to dedicate the land for public use. Deeds of lots on the street stated that they ran to the center line of the street. The street was always open after the lots were sold.' Meld, that the landowners were entitled only to nominal damages, as the contingency that the street would ever be closed was too remote to be considered.
Appeal from special term, Kings county.
Application by John P. Adams, as commissioner of public works, of the city of Brooklyn, to acquire land for street purposes in Fifty-First street, between Third and Fourth avenues. From an order denying a motion to confirm the report of the commissioners appointed to appraise the land, awarding nominal damages, petitioner appeals.
Reversed.
Argued before BARNARD, P. J., and DYKMAN and PRATT, JJ.
Almet F. Jenks, Corp. Counsel, for appellant.
Bergen & Dykman, (James C. Bergen, of counsel,) for respondents.

Opinion:
BARNARD, P. J.
Upon the application of John P. Adams, commissioner of public works, three appraisers were appointed to assess the value of "all the land lying between Third and Fourth avenues in Fifty-First street, as the same is laid down on the commissioners' map of the city of Brooklyn." The land was the property of Thomas Hunt in his lifetime, and was needed for the public use. The commissioners of appraisal reported the value of the land to be six cents. The court at special term refused to confirm the report, upon the ground that damages were substantial, and this appeal brings up the question of the value for the purpose of condemnation to public use. The proof shows that the premises in question were known as "Fifty-First Street" on a map made and filed by Thomas Hunt's executors, and between Third and Fourth avenues. The map shows a certificate indorsed thereon by the executors that the streets and avenues designated therein were solely for the purpose of descriptions and references, and that there was no intention to dedicate the lands to public use as streets of the city, or to any public use. The executors sold lots on the street, expressly stating in the deed that the conveyance was of the street up to the center line. The commissioners' valuation was right. The grantees in the deed, each and every of them, own to the center of the street in front of the lots, with a right to have the entire street remain open forever for their free passage. This would be their right over such parts of the street as were unconveyed by executors. ' The only difference between this condition of things and what would exist on a full dedication of the street is simply this: The owner and all the lot owners could shut up the street, which they could not do on a public street. This contingency is so remote in a great city that the appraisal commissioners did right in disregarding its probability, or even possibility. The street was-made to be open, and always open, after lots were sold on it, and the fee under a public highway is only nominal. Trustee, etc., v. Cowen, 4 Paige, 510; Bissell v. Railroad Co., 23 N. Y. 61; Wiggins v. McCleary, 49 N. Y. 346. The order refusing to confirm award is therefore reversed, with costs and disbursements, and the report confirmed. All concur.