Year: 1868

ncut Of the 6urfncc Of Seventh Avenue and


ITS PIan-Thc East Side Drive Along the


Hsishts-Infended Treatmcnt or tho Fort


Washington Tract-works in Hand within


the Park.


The substantial completion OF the plan Of the
western tract by the Central Park Commission, as
adopted at the meeting Of the Board November %,
1867 and the probabilities OF the immediate develop
ment Of the city In this direction, have diverted the
eyes OF real estate spectators to this tract likely
70 increase more rapidly in value than any other
tract within the limits of the metropolis is obvious
from the annals OF real estate transfers for the past
three weeks 1t but last week that the proceeds
OF single days sales of uptown lots by single
firm amounted to over million and quarter dollars
the number Of lots sold being two hundred and forty
six. The location Of these lots was on Fftyseventh
Fifty-eighth and Fifty-n!nth Streets between Sixth
and Seventh avenues. and on Sixty-seventh, Sixty
eighth and Sixty-ninth streets, between Tenth and
Eleventh avenues, along the line of the Bouc
ward. One lot brought the large OF $4,000
and several others went at an enormous advance
on previous prices These and ike transactions In
real estate exhibit in its light e effect OF the
recent efforts OF the Central Park Commission TO de-
velop the upper tract on the wess and make room
for the city in this direction. Boulevard lots, next
to lots bordering the Central Park are in first de-
mand, though holders seem not TO be disposed at
present put their tracts in the market apprehen-
sive of course ana justly so, of an unprecedented
rise in values within short time. Holders OF lots
adjacent streets are however less retcent in this
respect and sell freely, though not without liberal
advance in prices, transactions Sxty-seyenth,
Sixty-eghth, Sixty-nnth and 1o6th streets abun-
dainty prove. Within three weeks the transfers
along the western tract mostly between the new
Boulevard and the boundary OF the Park, have
amounted to nearly and half million Of dollars,
principally along the streets above mentioned; and
within the next three weeks still heavier aggregate
OF sales may be justly anticipated. In view Of these
facts therefore, there is topic Of greater interest
to the public than the matter-offact discussion OF
the present condition of this tract and what is likely
to be done on it within the present year.


SIXTH AVENUE, ABOVE THE PARK,


is the only thoroughfare present under treatment
the suggested treatment of this avenue by the Com
mission having been already confirmed by the Su
preme Court for the sanction Of which other features
OF the plan Of November rs are still waiting. The
Commissioners OF Assessment were appointed
this avenue August 1865 and proceeded with their
work, though rather lazy, completing 1t, however,
in time for the report Of 1867 Worknen were dis
posed along the line Of this thoroughfare last week
upon receipt of the decree OF confirmation by the
court and the work will be got well under way In


s S m dee and e 81
forms above the Park simply business continuation
OF the thoroughfare below. One new avenue run





with the grounds Of the Convent OF the Sacred Heart
while Manhattan street connects 1t In the drec-
ton with the new Boulevard on Eleventh avenue.
This avenue has been widened from the Park north
ward and though no designs have been submitted
for its ornamentation, will without doubt constitute
q business thoroughfare OF some importance bearing
probably about the relation TO Broadway at the
Boulevard above the Park that its ANCESTOR Sixth
avenue below, bears to Broadway from Blocker
street to Fityninth street. In short, 1t will natu-
rally develop into street of small retail stores, lying
midway between the aristocratic Fifth and the orn-



easy the line OF the avenue falling into the Harlem
river or rather cutting the exterior street the
Harlem shore, near 140th street. The grade OF


SEVENTH AVENUE
when the duty Of developing 1t fell into the hands
OF the Commission, had been already fixed as high
as 135th street, beyond which no grade had been
fixed. Public notice was immediately given OF pro-
posed alteration of the grade as far north this line
and OF a proposed fixing OF the grade to Harlem
shore, the extensive street OF which Is cut at Gen.
effects junction with Macomb's lane. The assent
Of the requisite twothirds majority having been OBJ
Sned n9ce was Ss ne 70 ons e ave
ground OF the avenue. The grade as Indicated by
the natural level OF the avenue, which, It was
thought would best snbserve the purposes OF bust
ness, necessitated deep rock cut OF about half Il
mile in length, with depth OF from to forty feet
through the Harlem bluffs to the line OF the exterior
street. This grade necessates the expense ofrcmov
Ing 1856 900 cubic yards OF excavation OF which 3os
will be solid rock and only $4,000 will be earthly
ieral or soil The higher grade, on the other hand,
though interfering with the level OF the avenue, |
would have involved $4,000 cubic yards less OF rock
excavation. As the law stood then and stands now |
Il was necessary that the work should be done by |
contract the lowest bldder-a mode of doing work |
a. contractors unless guarded by written stipulation,
and even then, are capable OF making no little |
trouble. It has been suggested, In fact, that the
Central Park Board should be invested with more |
arbitrary powers In the developing Of these streets
and should not only be at liberty to reject any bid OF
unreliable persons, but as well at liberty to perform
the work partly by contract and partly by day labor
under their own especial supervision. The width OF
this avenue was established by law when the for
nj a., Graz iuu w
leaving the Board discretion In the matter and the
ordinances OF the Corporation allot twenty-five ieet
only TO purposes OF sidewalk
On Fiiln avenue, the courtyards. steps, stoops
areas raings and the like occupy thirty feet OF the
public way OF one hundred feet has really been re-
duced TO seventy Ieet only available for purposes OF
travel. IL other distinctions, as lamp-posts hy-
drans ana trees, be taken into account also, the
width OF this avenue really available for travel or
carriages II really only sxtynve feet, which gives
altogether too large allowance for private struc
tures; though on Fifth avenue, II being really
fashionable thoroughfare this taking OF public land
for private uses may be permissible Tor purposes OF


In improving seventh avenue the Board have
deemed It best to embrace an opportunity for the
reformation Of this rather Objectionable practice.
Assuming the power TO be invested In the Beard,
1t has been deemed best TO preserve the legal
though though the innovation upon established ' custom
will undoubtedly meet with opposition from
property owners. Asa justification Of the practice,
permitted to place their stoops steps areas and rail-
ings within the line OF the street uniform width OF
these appendages ia secured, well as q uniform
line OF house fronts the exact legal line OF the
street, and that IL owners are compelled TO build
their steps, &c, within the limits OF their lots
the diversity OF these appurtenances in width gov
emed altogether by personal whim) would create an
irregular aud tasteless line of house fronts. AS
these appendages are not built very high the light
and air Of the street are II Ia alleged not nterfercd
with though this IL not the with the width of
the street way. No law exists, however, TO compel
any one TO build exactly on the street line, and the
owner may, he desires, set back his editce al any
distance. Custom, appearance and the desire To
make the most OF the given lot generally induce tile
occupancy OF the LOT 10 this line. and II would be
AZ these appendages were not permitted to pass he
yond the street line. This objection on the part OF
owners II therefore Of little validity and may be dis
missed without further continent.


second objection on the part Of property owners
In, however, OF greater importance and merits con-
sideraton. II II urged that II of lots the
avenue are permitted TO reasonable portion Of
II for courtyaris, kept in excellent order and en-
beshed with flowers and statuary, this is really
public use OF the same since these grounds or the
rtihf inln unn aanrIna n