The New York herald., 1877-07-01
RESERVOIR SQUARE.


THE POPULAR IDEA OF MAKING THE ENTIRE
SQUARE PUBLIC PARK WHEN THE REsER-
voIR is REMovED-A NOVEL PLAN sUG-
GEsrED TO THE MAYOR
The old reservoir Fiiih avenue and Forty-second
street has become scarcely any practical utility 10
the CITY, Tho subject ol its removal has consequently
been much agitated ot late Commissioner Campbe,
of the Board OF Public Works. has suggested such
change There are many persons opposed 10 the city
reiinqoishing its title such important piece
Of ground; but should the square not be sold
the question arises To what use shall II be put after
the unsighty waits OF tho old reservoir shall have
been removcdg The wisest aud most popular sugges-
ton rs 10 make the whole square o public park.
rew however are favor OF putting II to some such
purpose a botanical garden or building Tor scien-
tiGc objccls. Among the numerous suggestions IS
that OF Messrs vaux and Radford architects who ad-
wise the erection the spot where the reservoir
now stands large museum, to be devoted 10 the ex-
hibition OF products OF the various Industries
Tho following letter, written by those gentlemen to
Mayor Ely, will explain more fully the details OF tho
plan they proposo:-
SMITH ELY. Esq. Mayor of the Cily of New York
sin TO enssgs IN successful competition with Other
the hand Of the artisan ssu. hs sasd BY the Sst ~ OF
abisd metropolitan centre study the best examples
of what others have done and are doing doing.,,.,...,.
Se 81 % i NJ
Is sps e s sa. 's b. s %s WILL
x ms"s '' 81. drsa s n ss
museum tor suc purposes Is wisely organizsd here Il WI
as in that of "a museum of art or nasaral history.
distributing re eryor on Forty second street and The c"nss
gueni Of eligible the city
ssS the a
sire to las before YOU sns officer city, practical
s e @ be- to M cSn
establishments OF metropolitan museum Of scientific In
WIN by X OF Of ,sS
coSsrn the entire area the present rsservor
S 81 A M 0 H s sss ss
in resting walls aud convcrrns shaft
s
siny IS.sriory balcony under tho ceiling and
level which ,insnssd sa.ook anS refresh
% v g
S tS @ S s Of S and
that the inconvenences arising from the glare and
hsa Of the Sn1 VIII b. msc less than Is ~ usually % sSper
character Full provision for heating and for the accom-
from the result Of careful estimate based present
sss and n. The % site % ssarsa 80 Se co" sye . q
erected in a. aossan" and complete manner 70. co.
q
Mr.. vaux had interview yesterday with the Mayor
the subject aud explained at leugth the design Of
the proposed building, with the aid of and
draughta Tho present OF Importance he con-
sdered possible oary sale o the lots which had
been talked about Mr. Vaux thought that such action
would be contrary to the best interests OF the city.
A HERALD reporter yesterday called upon Mcssrs.
Vaux Radiord to learn further particulars concern.
ins the plans they had aid bcforc the Mayor ana Mr..
Vaux kindly gave the reporter mass OF information
on the subject, viewed in all It's bearings.
MIGHT BE DONE.
''There has boen some talk OF selling Reservoir
square," said Mr.. vaux 'At least Commissioners
Campbell states that the reservoir Is TO he taken down.
The question hat to be done with the groundf
Some talk OF selling but this would be 10 lose to the
city very valuable piece OF ground, which, IN TIME
might te OF more benefit to from tho to which
could be put than the amount OF money that could
be at present obtained rhe reservoir is 400
Rather than have II cooped up In tho city tne
authorities permitted the Museum OF Art to be
History had to be put up in Manhattan square, yet tho
idea OF polytechnic scientific museum Of industry
stana II the authorities disposed to erect such
museum, they would be IN want OF proper site.
Such a will soon become q necessity, and Il
would be prudent In my opinion, 10 secure the old
RESERVOIR ground as the most appropriate sitc for It,
The object OF a useum OF scientnc industry should
be purely educational 1t would give opportunity
for The collection and arrangements OF representative
mechanical and engineering works and Others oil tns
same class
'.rhe museums Art and OF Natural History edu
caiional organizAlions initiated and hcsithily sus
tanned by bodies OF trustees composed OF representa-
tive men, the trustees acting tremendously In con-
junction with the city and State, each coordinate Gle.
ment having q special junction. iu the OF the
Museum Scientific Industry, In which the PLAIN lard
working especially Interested the first gtep
seems naturally to belong 10 the city an ougrowIh
OF common s,hoo. system in the direction OF i'm
proved Polytechnic education, as tho opportunity
now exists Tor AL effective expression OF municipal!
interest the subject without any expenditure OF
money beiuR necessary, see ms worth who 10 con-
sder how far the occasion should be taken advantage
oLr