The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-18
CITY ENGINEER's OFFICE,1
RICHMOND, VA, April 16, 1888.


ing:
CITY ENGINEER's OFFIcE,I
RICHMOND, VA, April 16, 1888.
Hon. W. {. Cdrington, Mayor:
Dear Sir,-In answer to your favor Of to-
day, asking my opinion upon the'site for a
new City Hall, have to reply that | do
not believe the old City Hall lot, with the
Tupper property alone added, sufficiently
large for such building as should be con-
veniently arranged for all departments Of
the city government, and be creditable in
style as public building.
| take it that four courts, the City Coun-
ell. the Police Commissioners, and all the
various officers now scattered about in diff
ferent buildings, will occupy the new hall.
A building Of proper size erected upon
this site, one fourth Of which is occupied
by church, and limited in depth from
Broad to Capitol streets, where the main
entrances should be constructed with steps
and porticos to reach the principal stories,
would. think, be greatly marred in archi-
tectural effect by the restrictions OF extend
ing close to the walkwavs on three sides.
and almost in contact with the church on
another.
The objections that | see 10 this site.
even il the whole square should be used,
is the same limited depth and its proximity
to the Capitol, with which the city build
ing would be cOntrasted should the State
erect a new and imposing state building in
the future.
The square bounded by Broad, Marshall.
Eighth, and Ninth streets is the site |
should recommend for new City Hall,
because OF its larger size. more central 10
cation with reference to the whole city as
now built and hereafter to be built up, and
is probably the more economical in cost.
believe any large public building of good
design would be greatly improved by set
ting well back within square, avoiding
thereby the noises and confusion incident
TO buildings close upon the walkways, and
bv its isolated position would have more
imyosng architectural effect.
/ concur in the opinion that you express
that we should proceed cautiously in this
matter An improper design OF building
NAV be corrected, but faulty location
would be a mistake almost irretrieyable.
Very respectfully,
W. +. CUTsHAw, City Engineer.
THE ROOM THAT WILL BE NEEDED.
The courts to be provided for are the
Circuit. Chancery, and Hastings and PO-
lice DrObably), and the Judges and clerks
for each court will need three rOems, or
nine rooms in all. Then there is to be the
Council chamber and office OF the City
Clerk. The other officers to be provided
for are the following, and they will require
at least two rooms each: Mayor, City At
torney. Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner
of the Revenue, City Collector, High Con-
stable, City Sergeant, Sheriff. Clty Engl-
neer, Superintendent Water-WorkS. Gas
Inspector. Chief of Police, Coroner, Com
monwealth's Attorney, Police Justice, Po-
lice Commissioners, and Janltor OF the
building-thirty-siX rooms more, or say
four or five large halls and forty-five OF
fees, TO say not a word about Councll
commttee-rooms, which are mucrneeded.
This is our calculation, not the City En-
eineer's. 1t may not be exactly what VIII
be determined upon, but will be IN the
neighborhood.
THE MAYORS VETO.
The Mayor has vetoed the ordinance re-
Gently adopted, rs follows:
APRIL l., 1888.
To the Honorable Members Of the city
Council:
Gentlcmen,-I feel constrained to GiSap-
prove your resolution selecting the old
Ctv-Hall lot. with the Tupper property
only added, Us the site for the new City
HILL.
The City Engineer is best qualified to as
sert the space necessary 10 accommodate
the various departments, and upon sketch
of the necessary rooms and space which he
prepared in connection with the old site
he covered the entire square, including the
church property, and yet the entrances
from Broad and Capitol streets invaded
the sidewalks, while the space at the end
entrances were stingily cramped for such
building. OF course, then, one fourth OF
his calculated space being cut off by your
selection, and excluding the church pro-
perty. would make the dimensions entirely
too small. or his estimate OF The room re-
ouired absurdly large. But ii this SEEM
inclv unanswerable objection did not exist,
I should vet feel that the restricted space
on an incomplete square OF so small entire
dimensions, with the entrance to one full
end blocked by its abutting against a
church. would give the building an in
complete architectural appearance and
finish. which would so mar it, beauty and
convenience as to be grave reflection on
our taste and foresight.
In this matter we are justified in remem
herring that we are not building for our
selves alone, nor paying for it in our gene
ration alone, but that we are building for
those who follow us and upon whom the
burden OF payment will chiefly fall; and
that il is our duty TO prepare not only for
the demands Of the insignificant present as
compared with the grand future which we
hope is coming TO our city, but to do that
which will reflect credit on the present and
aid in giving tone to and fOreshadowing
the coming prosperity and meet the de-
mands which bright prospects seem to
yOuch to our successors.
ANY error in space now may be fatal, or
to correct it involve an expense so great as
TO be burdensome on those who have to
bear it.
The space which will answer for the
present cannot but be 100 small for future
necessities of our growing city; and hence,
while il might be wise to have too much
space for the present, il would be the worst
of follies TO have too little even for the
present, regardless OF the enlarged de-
mands for the future. Yet such seems the
position i'm which we will he placed by ac-
cepting the restricted selection now made.
Again. it is polite and proper TO some
what scatter the attractive places and build
ipgs of a city, so as to adorn and beautfy
different sections and give more pleasant
impressions to those who visit and make
inspections OF our surroundings; and,
therefore. il would seem wise, II other
things were equal, to have our City Hall
removed somewhat from the Capitol and
other attractive buildings near the location
YOU selected. Then, too, special reason
would be found for locating it away from
so direct contact with the view OF the Capt.
tol in the fact that the prosperity OF the
State will almost ensure new Capitol