1 6 REPORT OF THE 



is the highest ground in the city, but exceedingly uneven. The 

 work carried on consisted largely of grading, a very difficult task, 

 owing to the hardness of the soil, which was chiefly made up of 

 clay and large boulders. However, most gratifying progress was 

 made. The sidewalks about the land were laid out, graded and 

 lined with trees. On the Flatbush avenue side stone flagging was 

 laid, an improvement that will be greatly appreciated by the 

 residents of Flatbush in winter and in the spring time. Flagging 

 was also laid on the Eastern Parkway side. The point at the 

 junction of Flatbush avenue and Eastern Parkway, immediately 

 fronting the reservoir, has been converted into a very attractive 

 pleasure ground. The Commissioner of City Works, the Hon. 

 A. T. White, is adding a flight of stone steps to the Water Tower 

 connected with the reservoir, leading up from the Eastern Park- 

 way. This will add to the harmony of the connection between 

 the reservoir and the Park lands. 



THE INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



A portion of the East Side Lands has been given by the City 

 as a site for the edifice to be known as the Museum Building of 

 the " Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences." This building 

 is now being constructed, and when completed will occupy all 

 that portion of the East Side Lands facing the Eastern Parkway, 

 extending from the line of the reservoir grounds to Washington 

 avenue, and back of the line of President street about one hun- 

 dred feet. The plan for the building was created by Messrs. 

 McKim, Mead & White in competition with other well-known 

 architects. The building is to be of the classic style. It will 

 cover 520 square feet. There will be four interior courts to pro- 

 vide light and ventilation. The building will be four stories in 

 height and will contain scientific and artistic collections. When 

 completed it will be one of the finest structures in the world. 



The ceremonies connected with the breaking of ground oc- 

 curred Saturday, September 14, 1895, at 4 P. M., when the first 

 shovelful of earth was dug up by the Park Commissioner, who 

 also acted as the presiding officer. Addresses were made by 

 Hon. Jackson Wallace, Chairman of the Board of Aldermen ; the 



