The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-15

grounds and buildings:
CITY ENGISEER's OFFICE,
RICHMOND, Va, February 81, 1879.
To the Chairman and Members of the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings:
Gcntlemen,-UDder. the ordinances 1t Is
made nv duty to report to You the condi-
ton and needs OF the public grounds and
buildings OF the city and to offer such aug
gestions in regard to them as they may seem
20 me to demand. .-.-
BUILDINGS.
City HaN.-The temporary building used
rs City Hall has had some few repairs du-
ring the year, besides IN enlargement and
change in the HustinSs-Court room. The
ground upon which the building stands has
been released for period OF three years,
commencing February 20, 1879. An en-
largement OF the yaut-room for records,
and other changes asked for by the Chancery
Court, together with Incidental repairs to
the building, are needed and should be at
tended to during this year. There are now
in course OF preparation outlines and copies
OF fioor-plans OF city balls which are intend-
ed to be submitted to the members OF the
Council for information and study, prelimi-
nary to having designs made for new City
Hall. .....
Engine ard Station Enthusiastically all
the police-Sta:ionS and engine houses have
had repairs to them during the year, and
they still need painting and other repairs to
nut them in proper condition. The COM
bined station and engine-house at the
Third police-station is in such state,
and has been so often reported, that
some action should be taken at once
to avoid the complaint about it. Seve-
raj years ago plans were made for new STA
ton house, and very recently plans were
made for new engine-house. the object in
both cases being TO have the men OF the two
departments in separate houses made COM
Portable and properly suited 10 their duties.
1t has been recommended TO the Council to
purchase lot on Broad strect-tbis location
meeting the approval OK the Fire Depart
mcnt rs the bcst-upon which 1t is proposed
to erect an engine-house according TO the
plans already made. Ii this recommends
tion should be carried out the present Sta
tion-hou>e can be remodelied and put IN
habitable condition as police station.
Police Court Room and Jau.-The Po.
lice-Court room Is badly ventilated, ana
needs some changes and repairs to render it
comfortable to the public, as we'll as TO the
officers Of the court.
Repairs to 4 small extent were made at the
iail during the year, including change OF
quest OF the Surgeon and other officers OF
the Jail certain changes were asked for to
give better accommodations to the sick. To
accomplish this it was recommended to build
another story OF four rooms over the pres
ent kitchen. This change is still needed.
Market -HouSsS.-SoneS small repairs were
made at both market-houses during the year,
besides rerlodelling the scale-house and re-
placing the old scales with new ones at the
Second Market. Both market-houses need
painting and repairs to put the buildings in
q proper state OF preservation, and the old
scales need replacing at the First Market.
Ar7norieS.-At the Howiizer armory the
outside windows and door-frames were
| painted to protect them from weather, and
wire screens were placed over the windows
| to prevent the glass from being broken by
malicious persons throwing stones at the
| finished outside as it should be, both on ac-
count of its preservation as well IS to give
it IFS proper appearance.
The building OF regimental armory has
several times been before the committee, but
| each time the first question to be settled has
been d location for it. The City-Spring lot,
upon which the Howitzer armory stands,
offers Il location for such an armory. A
bullding fronting on Seventh street 100 feet
long By so deep can be erected on this lot,
and, by filing, the lot will make an enclosed
drilJ-cround between the two buildings Of
10 feet by 100 feet clear space.
Other B1iLi,ngS.-Washngton Hall. Sea-
brooks warehouse, and the City stables
have had some small repairs during the
wear. At Scabrook's warehouse an old wall
on Seventeenth street side has been in an
insecure condition for some years, and
should be taken down and rebuilt.
GROUNDS.