23 



THE OPPORTUNITY OF BBOOKLYN. 



Here, then, there is ample room for an extension of the habitation part 

 of the metropolis upon :i plan fully adapted to the most intelligent re- 

 quirements of modern town life. A large part of the elevated land 

 which lias been referred to lies not more than half as far from the com- 

 mercial centre as the habitation district of New York island, the ground 

 is better formed with reference to sanitary considerations; it is open to 

 the sea breezes and lies in full view of the ocean; it can never he en- 

 closed on all sides by commerce as the habitable part of New York 

 island soon will he; and, its immediate hack country being hounded by 

 the sea, the commercial traffic through it is always likely to be light 

 and will be easily provided for in a few special channels. Thus it seems 

 set apart and guarded by nature as a place for the tranquil habita- 

 tion of those whom the business of the world requires should reside 

 within convenient access of the waters of New York harbor. 



It does not follow, however, that it will be so occupied. In the drift 

 of the population of towns it is generally found that natural advantages 

 alone go for but little, and except in the part controlled by your Com- 

 mission no other arrangements as yet exist with reference to the con- 

 venience, health, and pleasure of residents upon this land than such as 

 would have been formed if it were desired to invite to it nothing but 

 factories, ship yards, or the warehouses and offices of merchants. One 

 or two streets were laid out through it some years ago with an avowed 

 intention of being especially adapted to residences; they were so de- 

 signed however, as to offer every advantage to commercial transporta- 

 tion and consequently for shops and factories but, except in mere width, 

 without intelligent regard to the alleged purpose in view. They are 

 nevertheless adapted to serve an important purpose in concentrating 

 such commercial traffic as must pass through their neighborhoods and 

 in furnishing sites for shops and public buildings which will in any case 

 be needed to meet local requirements. 



Upon the manner in which there are good grounds for confidence 

 that the elevated district which has been indicated will be occupied in 

 the future, depends the valuation which can justly and sagaciously be 

 now placed upon it, and upon this valuation mainly depends the finan- 

 cial prosperity of the city of Brooklyn. 



HOW THE OPPORTUNITY MAY I5E MISUSED AXD HOW AVAILED OF. 



It would be a perfectly simple problem to cause this land to be given 

 up in a few years almost exclusively to shanties, stables, breweries, dis- 

 tilleries, and swine-yards, and eventually to make the greater part of it 

 a district corresponding, in the larger metropolis which is hereafter to 

 exist on the shores of New York harbor, to that which the Five Points 

 has been in the comparatively small town we have known. 



