Year: 1868

estate in the upper part OF the island; and as the
work on the road progresses the price OF land In the
vicinity VIII ncr aSe proportionately In times gone
by IN laying out the streets the metropolis the old
farm lines were more respected than they should
days in the crooked lanes and streets which
abound in the lower part OF the metropolis
The plan upon which the Boulevard has been
projected 1t Is contended, enectnally prevents any
occurrence Of this kind in that part OF the island
through which 1t Is pass. II viii serve guide
TO the thorough laying out Of all the streets that will
be In existence In years to come after the Boulevard
itself shall have become thing OF as much attrac-
tion and resort as the Park now Is. IL will aid
directly In the Improvement of all the adjoining
lands and aord opportunities for favorable villa lots
on each side OF the drive where the breadth OF the
an avenue. Commissioner Green remarks with
great truth that delays In maturing plan OF great
public want IKE the Boulevard are prejudical to the
OF the putIc, and that until the lines and
grades Of the streets and avenues are determined
Improvements VIII be retarded. He also says In hts
report In reference to the plan Of the road and the
effect II VIII have on the regulating OF the up town
districts, that New York. pre-eminently commercial,
is rapidly becoming great manufactlrng centre OF
the country and that necessarily the population now
pressing upon its territory, with convenience for
occupy II. For the wan. OF convenient means OF
reaching the upper part Of the island population is
compelled to seek the towns In the country to which
travel Is quick and commodous Under the circum-
stances the Boulevard is very naturally looked upon
not only as grand drive for those who can afford to
drive 'ast and furious" but sort OF forerunner OF
the prosperity and elegance that viii be dis
played in the laying out Of that part or
the island through which 1t Is TO pass As IL pro-
crosses the side streets will spring up, property win
De improved and the population that has now
against IN, its WIN 70 nnd homes IN otner adjoining
may be also, at least 1t il the generally accepted
idea, that the Boulevard will be on grand scale


counterpart OF what the other streets yet TO spring
about II Will be-a wooded suburb, with shaded
roads and ornamental parks; for there Is certainly at
districts below l55th street to leave room for the
Landscape architect" to ply his pleasant work Of
ruralizng the appearance OF the "upper regions OF


WASHINGTON HEIGHTS OF THE FUTURE.


The territory which lies between the city on the
south ana the growing populations OF the villages OF
Jersey shore on the west, the Park Commissioners
believe Will be one OF the first districts that will be
by the Boulevard. Tidal waters encompass II on
three sides. Across 1t passages for business and
no than the probable growth OF large populated
places on the opposite shores. The heavier business
traic Will naturally seek the most accessible and
level roads and the level land contiguous to the
rivers Will, Of course, in time be taken posses
sion OF BY commerce., while the bluffs and
elevated surfaces will lose none of their pre-
sent attractions In the way OF elegant suburban
residences Efforts to force the picturesque heights
Into, into CITY lots are the Commissioners think more
be used for any business purpose while there Is
level land close by the river that affords every ad
vantage that commerce can desire.


COMPLETION OF THE WORK.


When this much TO be desired result will be
reacned cannot now De announced With any degree
OF positiveness, as matters stand. 1t Is true
that the route OF the entire drive has been laid out
and that those who have the work In hand feel conf
dent nat when 1t Is finished it will be one OF the grand
est things OF its kind in the world. But although
time works wonders and WILL no doubt, make one ont
OF the Boulevard, the endorsements under which
Its promoters are forced to labor none the less
trivial. They have now the legal right to work on
that part of the road which lies between Fifty ninth
street and 155th street; but before single stone can
be uptuned any other part OF the road above the
latter point the usual proceedings by the Commits.
sioners of Assessments and in the Supreme Court
Will have to be gone through with There are now,
as has already been mentioned, 800 steadily at
work on the part or the drive which has been re-
ported upon by the assessors whose report has
ceiveded legal confirmation, and In o few short
months the work on 1t will be completed. 1t Is the
intention OF the Park authorities TO keep the work
going on even during the winter at least on those
days when the weather will permit Of It, In order tnat
no unnecessary delay may occur to postpone the
completion OF the whole Boulevard. In the mean
time they hope to be able to have the reports upon
the other parts Ofthe road confirmed and II every
thing goes well the Boulevard will be opened in
three years from the present tme What the cost Of
the whole thing will be cannot be even estimated
It will altogether depend upon what estimates the
Assessment Commissioners will place upon the value
OF the various estates through which the road will
run. At any rate 1t will be among the millions, and
II the drive turns out TO be the great Improvement
the city that ia almost universally claimed for II there
will be but few. II any, persons who will grumbie at
ifa prir