The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-16
THE NEW POST OFFICE SITE.

Meeting Of the Couucilma mic special Commit
tec-Argumenis for and against the Pro
posed sale of the Park TO the Government
The City Hall for Post Omce-Another
Meeting TO be Held. &c.
The special Committee OF the Board Of Counciimen
appointed hear parties the subject Of selling the
lower angle Of the City Hall Park to the for
Post oHico site met yesterday afternoon. Councilman
Gilmore presiding Councilman Hart was the other
member of the committee present
The CHAIRMAN stated that the committee were pre-
pared to hear the views Of gentleman the matter
Mr.. JoHS McKAssos, OF 81 East Twenty first street.
then said that II the Common Council refused to sell
the ground the government the result would be tina;
the railroads would take possession OF the Ground for
nothing. The building of the Post oce would interfere
with the view tho splendid building Of the Nyw YORK
HERALD, though the building Of tho Post Office there
would be an advantage to mr. Bennett, whose building
was certainly an ornament 10 the city.
The CHArRMAs-What about the public In the matter
Mr. McKAssoS-The RI roads would get it for nothing
II you don't cell II. Tho best would be to open
Peck slip through Frankfort and Spruce Streets through
through the Park to Broadway. That would improve
property.
The CHAIRMAS-The cost of that would he more than
the price we would get for the ground in the Park,
$500 900 How would 1t 90 70 open Ann street,
Mr.. McKsssoN-The cost of that, accoun. OF the
price Of labor, would be high, but it would cut
property through, and We fought 1t on that account
already, aud would again.
The Chairman How woald you like to have Ann
stree opened on tho south side? n4anghter)
Mr Mckassou-And take down that monument o!
Mr. Bennett'sf O, no, We could not do that No price
would pay us for opening that side. think the
opening Of the Peck slip street would be the best We
were offered high price for property, but it would
never ray to have Ann street wldeocd.
Councilman Green next spoke in favor Of leaving mat
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. McKasson II Union square
would not be the best site for the Post Office, because
tho city Is growing mp that way and wonld take I'VE
years to brii the Post Office All the European steamers
land above Canal street and the lower part OF the
city Is already too much crowded.
Mr. McHAssoN replied that the city grows slowly up
wards, and that will be long before Union square Is
as central a. tho Park. he then asked Mr. Green II
railroads would take possession OF the property for
nothing If it was not sold to the government.
Mr. GREEN replied that the subject never came up in
that way In tho Board of Councilmcn.
The CHArHMAS--Would not Union square be the best
place for the Post Onlce?
Mr. GREEy--No. This has been selected by the govern
ment with dea OF care The city Is not growing
so fast as to make Union square the best place.
The CHArsMav--Yes but that selection was made
few years ago only. when the government at
and when 1t vas threatened grass would grow in Broad
way.
Mr. G w. Pslt next spoke. Hc said the noise and
crowd against the place for post oce that the
ground is unsuitable FOR nc budlng that 1t would bo
curve, with ons one strarht face the rooms IN the
building would be incouven.ent and saaped
account Of tho curves IN, appearance would be most IN
calmly There are many better sites for Post Office
TIE pr'ce 10 b. paid 70. the ground is too small and
Why should New York sell to the government for less
than the valne. He considered the CITY Hall would
make good Post Office; that IT is handsome suitable
building, already prepared and the city government
could get good price for IT, which would put up an ele-
giant City Hall on another site These all the
marks he bad TO make the subject
Nr. II okAssos then commenced q statement OF what
he would do with the railroads and the Battery If he
We're az Albany, after which desuory conversation took
the pince OF the formal meeting In tho OF this
u was stated ~ the chairman OF the committee that tho
ground in the PARK which it is proposed sell to the
government for Post Office site Is triangular piece of
ground a75 fee, each SIDE consisting Of fourteen
lots or Ground in all, he understood
The committee then adjourned for q week.