Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-16
NEW DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
Work ON the West aud Center Wings.
COLONEL cAsEY's REPORT OF PROGRESS MADE

Colonel I. L Casey, superintendent OF the con.
struction OF the State, War and Navy department
building, In his report to the Secretary OF War OF
the operations on that building during the year
ended June 3oth, 1884, states that they embraced
the completion OF the approaches OF the north
"ng and also clearing OF the site, principal exca-
vatlon and commencement OF foundations for the
west and center wings and the collection OF build
Ing materials and machinery for these wings The
expectations that the approaches to the north
wing would be completed during the fall OF 1888
were not fulfilled, and the freeing weather OF the
winter found the work stu Incomplete. on the
24th or March work on the approaches was re-
sumed The main entrance platform, with its
stone oauStrade and steps TO street sidewalk, was
completed and turned over to the use of the War
department. May 18th. The last of the granite was
se5 on June 3D. and the approaches were entirely
approaches finished the construction Of the north
wing, leaving only the west and center wings,
with the corresponding small extent OF approaches
on 18th street, yet TO be built The cost OF the
north wing was 81, ,912. .O9492.
During the year the preparation and delivery OF
tne cut granite for the west and center wings pro-
gresSed uninterruptedy, SO that most OF the stone
nof the area wallis sub-basement story and lower
nan o! tne basement story, and OF the first and
second stories OF the front, is on the ground ready
for use
Work OF clearing the site was commenced Janu-
ary - 1854. by the removal OF the temporary build
Ings, ana on FEBRUARY 18th the demolition and re-
lnoVai OF the Old Navy department building was
commenced under contract The last OF 1t was re-
AAoNou apCu 4St.
The work OF excavating before the foundation
orenches hi could De cut amounting to about $1,000
cupic yards and covering more than one acre OF
ground, was begun March 81, under contract, and
completed May 31st, since which date eXcava-
lions OF foundation trenches have been well ad-
Vanced, machinery for making the foundation con-
crete put In running order and much material for
concrete collected. Contracts were entered into
or an the important materials required during the
present season.
During the current year all the foundations and
the masonry OF the coal vaults, court-y ards area
walls, front and rear sub-basement story and at
least part OF the basement story throughout will
propaoly be completed for the west and center
wings it Is expected that the masonry Of these
wings will have been carried up the level OF the
second story floor by the close OF the fiscal year
ending June Both, 1885
statement OF funds: Total amount expended to
July 1st 1884. on north wing 1870 1892: on the
west and center wings, S4S6.122 15 Balance OF ap-
preparation on hand July lst, 1884, s427 1885, 49, out
Standing indebtedness, $3.50. $685. balance avail
aDie july 1St, 1884, $6,56S47. Total estimates OF
cost OF west and center WINGS $2,447 272 g. Total
appropriated TO July 1st, 1884. $el3.i7s61: apprQ-
prlation still required, 81 ,533, 1857 appropriation
asked for fiscal year ending June 3Oth 1885, $500