Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-19

LIE PROPOSED UNION DBPOT.-lne rail-"
road commissioners met in the common council
chamber at the City hall yesterday morning, to
inspect the plans of the Boston and Albany
railroad company, for the new union depot, and
to grant hearing to parties interested in the
matter. The commissioners, Messrs A. d.
Briggs of Springfield, Charles f. Adams, Jr., OF
Boston, and F. NJ. johnson of Newton, were all
present, Mr.. Adams presiding. All the roads
centering in the city were represented, except
the Norwich and Worcester. Mr.. T. L. Nelson,
city solicitor, appeared on behalf of the city.
The plans, which were on exhibition, are
those described IN the Spy a few days ago
They contemplate stone building, 5O4 feet
long by $50 wide, with two through tracks, and
one local track for the Boston and Albany road
in the center, two tracks each for the Norwich
and Providence roads on the south side, and
three tracks, two for the Nashua and one for the
Boston, Barre and Gardner road entering on a
curve at the north side. This plan is modified
somewhat from the ground plans approved by
the commissioners at the June hearing, which
provided for depot 600 #. long by 240wide. Mr..
d. Waldo Lincoln, vice president of the Boston
and Albany road, who opened the hearing, ex-
planned that he did not understand by the deci-
sion of the commissioners that the road was
required to build a depot exactly of the dimen-
sons above stated. 1t was understood that the
other roads did notrequile depot 600 feet long,
SO the present plans provided for shorter build
ing. OF course the building can be extended,
or a Shed built out over the tracks of the Boston
and Albany road at one end of the depot, if
necessary, to accommodate their trains. The
cost of the building provided for by the pro-
posed plans will reach half a million dollars,
which amounts to $4,000 for each foot in width
and $1,000 for each foot in length. This ratio
will hold good for each foot saved in the dmen-
sions of the building, either in length Or width
If it should be decided to build depot 600 feet
long, it would involve an additional cost of
100000. If the northern or southern roads
could do their business on two tracks in
side the depot there could be still farther
saving in the cost of construction.
Mr.. Philbrick, engineer of the Boston and
Albany road, and Mr.. Van Brunt, architect of
the new depot, were present, and in answer to
questions from the commissioners and the Off
GERS Of the several roads, still further
explained some of the main features
OF the proposed building. Mr.. Philbrick said
the principal modifcation.of the ground plan,
accepted last June, was in providing
for an additional track for the southern
roads, and a change in the construc-
ton of the roof over the northeast corner Mr.
Philbrck also stated, in answer TO a question by
Mr.. Kinnicutt, that the location of the building,
while providing for the entrance of the Nashua
and Gardner roads upon the east side, is as well
adapted to northern entrance as any that
could be devised. The cars of the southern
roads can be reached by passengers by cross
ing over the tracks of the Boston and
Albany road, when they are not occupied,
or by sub-ways under the traks. These SUBJ
ways are to be eighteen feet wide, and can be
lighted by glass in the floors or by gas. The
door ways on the east side of the building, by
which the northern roads enter, must necessari-
ly be located at the point contemplated and any
enlargement Of the building must be made at
the ends.
Other matters of detail, such as the insufficient
accommodations for ticket offices and dining
rooms, being suggested, Mr.. Adams, chairman
Of the board of commissioners, said that on the
conclusion of the hearing it was the intention of
the commissioners to leave all matters of detail
to the Boston and Albany railroad, interfering
only when objections were raised by some of
the otherSoads
Mr.. Lincoln stated that it was intended to
construct the depot of stone from Milestone hill,
like that used in the Technical school and
Normal school buildings. There will be plenty
of room in the upper story Of the northeast cor
ner for offices of the several roads if they de-
sire to use it.
At the conclusion of the hearing Mr. Adams
stated that Mr.. Smith, president of the Norwich
road, who was not able to be present at this
hearing, had requested an opportunity to be
heard, aud that the commission would meet in
their rooms at Boston on Monday next, at -
M, for that purpose.
The plans will be on exhibition in the com
mon council room to-day, and persons wishing
to do so, can have an opportunity to inspect
them