Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-12
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE NEW MARKET HOUSES.

THE NEW MARKET HOUSES.
The City Council having at length become con-
WINGED of the inadequacy of the present Market
Houses to accommodate the wants of the commu-
nifty, determined short time since, to cause two
additional Houses to be erected near the sites of
the present Markets. A committee was accor-
dinghy appointed, whose duty it was made to
solicit proposals for the erection of two addi-
tional Market Houses, to be devoted exclusively
to the sale of vegetables and fish. The committee
having advertised for proposals, two competitors
entered the lists-Mr Edwin Cooke and Mr. Hen
ry Exall. The plans and specifications presented
by these builders. were nearly alike, differing only
In the style of finislh we believe. Mr.. Cooke $
bid estimated the cost of both Houses at $500
Mr.. Exall's at $500. The committee reported both
plans to the Council, being unable, we suppose, to
decide between the competitors. The Council
referred the subject back to the committee with
Instructions to decide upon the bids Mr. Cookies
bid being the lowest, it was accepted and reported
to the Council. When the report came I'D for
consideration the relative merits of the two plans
were freely discussed. Several members of the
Council preferred Mr.. Exalls bid, whilst others
fayoured Mr. Cookies. Upon carefully compar-
ing the competing plans and estimates however,
it was dscove that whilst Mr.. Cookies plan had
the advantage of being less costly than Mr. Ex-
als, 1t at the same time possessed vast superior
lty from the fact that the whole of his cornices,
arches, brackets and balustades are to be of cast
iron!-whereas Mr.. Exals plan proposed to con-
struct these important portions ofthe new buildings
wholly Of wood. AS soon as this new feature in
Mr. Cocks plan became apparent the Council of
course found no difficulty in giving it the prefer
ence. Independently of this, too Mr.. Cooke OBJ
hgates himselfto execute some curling, not inciu-
ded in Mr.. Exas bid. Thus. then, it appears
thatno sort of comparison can be instituted between
the merits Of the two bids-Mr. Cookies being
not only cheaper, but greatly superior, in its cast
iron features particularly. How the committee,
or the Council, managed to entertain doubt abou,
the relative superiority of the bids, must remain
matter of surprise.
These New Market houses will be $50 feet
long and IS feet broad, and are to rest Oh massive
cast iron pillars The first will be erected on the
lot owned by the city Franklin and 18th streets,
opposite the Old Market house, and the other on
the lot owned by the city on Marshall and 9th
streets, opposite the Shockoe Hill Market-house
station house will be provided at the northern
extremity of the Shockoe Hill vegetable market,
Where evdoers will be locked up, and where assis-
lance be procured at all hours of the night, by
those requiring the services of the watchmen
The erection of these buildings will add greatly to
the comfort Of both buyers and sellers. The present
Market-houses will be devoted wholly to the &C.
commodation of the butchers; the hucksters
small turner's, and gardeners will receive hand
some accommodate ions in the cast iron ornamented
Market-houses, and the citizens, and more especi-
ally the ladies, will be enabled to visit the mar
kets and procure their daily supplies without be-
ing subjected to rude pressure from promiscu-
Gus crowd.
We are sure the people of Richmond will hail
the erection of these New Markets with the live
liest satisfaction. They will prove to be not only
useful but highly ornamental structures, with their
cast iron cornces, arches brackets and baustrades.