Ever concerned with the costs of parkway development, the BPC ascertained that it was not always receiving satisfactory bids for its buildings. It rejected inadequate bids and accepted another round of informal bids to avoid the cost of re-advertising. In order to receive the best return, the BPC dismantled some of the dilapidated structures to obtain higher prices by selling the lumber rather than the building as a whole. If the lumber could not be sold at a profit, the materials were saved for future use on the parkway. The fate of a stable on the R. Young & Bros. Co. property in White Plains illustrated this course of action. The highest bid for the stable was $252, BPC assistant secretary George Hilty rejected the offer on the grounds that the lumber in the building alone was worth $3,500. He noted that the building, which was constructed of quality, seasoned lumber, could be dismantled and stored for later use in parkway development. Some buildings were so dilapidated that they were sold for demolition only.(138) In mid 1916, the BPC added new rules and demanded that all bids were "subject to condition that buildings must either be dismantled or removed 300 feet from the Parkway Reservation within 30 days after surrender." The new requirement was intended to prevent problems with bidders who did not remove the buildings they purchased in a prompt and efficient manner. The commission placed great importance on removing buildings and quickly restoring its land. In one situation, it accepted a lower bid on a building because the highest bidder had previously caused trouble by insisting that it was impossible to remove a structure within the required time frame. Rather than invite more problems, the BPC accepted the lower bid of a company that had an excellent record of compliance with the regulations.(139) The BPC did not always enforce the policy that buildings be removed more than 300' from the parkway. William Penfield purchased a building in 1915 and decided he wanted to move it just across the street on Bronx River Road. His request for permission to ignore the 300' stipulation included an offer to pay an additional $100 over the purchase price and a guarantee that the reconstructed building would match a sketch approved by the BPC. After 1916, when the 300' restriction was included in all building sales, the BPC still made exceptions to the rule. In one situation, the BPC allowed a building to be moved within the 300' restricted zone on the condition that the structures be readvertised for sale without the 300' restriction clause and repurchased. The bidder had to file plans showing the reconstruction and new location, as well as post a substantial bond to ensure compliance.(140) Since the BPC was typically very strict in enforcing its established policies, the less restrictive policy may have been an attempt to fairly apply the rules to all property owners. Some buildings were kept by the BPC for temporary field headquarters and for tool storage and other uses connected with parkway development. Residential structures were retained for employee housing and were also rented for income. Occupied houses in the parkway had several advantages. The BPC asked George Hilty to move from Queens to occupy a residence in Yonkers so that he could better supervise work and expenditures on the parkway. Engineer Arthur Ehlers was granted the use of a BPC residence in lieu of a raise because he had worked for nine years with no increase in salary. The commission also provided housing rather than a pay increase for engineer Leslie Holleran, noting that it was beneficial to have employees living within the BRPR. R. V. Lane lived rent-free in a house in Yonkers to keep an eye on parkway lands and trees (which were often cut down). According to Downer, this area was "particularly subject to vandalism by Italians and other foreign population in the vicinity." When the BPC’s office lease expired in 1916, it moved into the newly acquired Ward Leonard Electric Company’s stone mill building on Pondfield Road in Bronxville. In rare cases, a structure was saved and used for a clubhouse or other parkway facility, as was the case with the Crestwood Athletic Club.(141) |
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| (138)Bronx
Parkway Commission, Report, 1916, 42; Bronx Parkway Commission,
Minutes, October 23, 1914, 355-358; May 25, 1915, 233-236. |
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