Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-19
OUR UNION DEPOT.
MAJOR xFERSs SETTLEMENT.


For long time our people have been
ashamed Of the railroad depots in this
city, and more SO perhaps of the Byrd
Street depot than any other. Recently
there has been CLEAN Of hope that the
old tumble-down, wretched structure
last mentioned would be removed and a
new building ofpleasing appearance take
its place.
Yesterday afternoon Dispatch re-
porter found General-Superintendent
Major z. ID. 7. Myers, and the follow
ing talk ensued:
us it true, as understand, that the
Public warehouse lot has been bought
by the railroad companies tcentreing
at Byrd street, for the purpose of
erecting depot?"
" Yes, the railroad companies have
for long time desired to erect at that
point depot which would accommo-
date the traffic Of the North and South
line, and if possible that of other lines,
and to that end have purchased the
property you mentioned. You are per-
haps aware that these companies
own very large area in the vicinity
you mentioned, both north and south
of Canal street and east and west Of
Eighth street. Now, in order to pro-
vide suitably for the passenger business,
a long shed, under which trains can
stand while receiving and discharging,
is absolutely necessary. Such sheds
are now considered the indispensable
adjuncts Of a passenger depot"
"What length Of shed, Major, will
be required ?"
"Well, sir, the sleepers that are now
running between New York and Florida
are more than 20 feet in length, and we
frequently have four of them on one
train. Then there are two coaches
which cover about lis feet, two bag
gage and express-cars covering about
l07 feet, and mail-car about 60 feet.
Add these together and you have 5G2
feet without the engine and tender.
This is. of course, much longer than
any front we own uninterrupted by a
street. So you see that the shed must
cross the street. The shed we propose
will extend from point near the south
end Of the present old depot clear back
TO Canal street, and there turning at
right angles, will continue in an L form
TO Seventh street"
How is the Richmond and Ale
ghany TO be accommodated?
BY that portion which fronts on
Canal street. In the inside angle Of
the l. we expect to locate building the
use Of which will be common TO the
three roads. The approach to it by
carriages. baggage-wagons, etc., will be
from Seventh street. through gateways,
by which vehicles will enter into spa
cious courtyard on the west side of this
building. within which will be pro-
vided roOmy apartments, waiting-rooms,
ticket Offices, etc. But all of this de-
pends upon city legislation
Have you any objection to stating
what legislation you desireY"
"Nbt the least. On the contrary.
the companies for which am authorized
TO speak desire that full information
upon the subject shall be placed before
the public, 1t being impracticable, as |
have lefgc said, to provide what is
necessary without interrupting the
streets, and the railroad companies be-
ing the owners of nearly the whole OF
the property abutting on Eighth be-
tween Canal street and the paper-mill,
and between Seventh and Ninth streets,
we shall ask that these streets be
closed, as the public can suffer no in
convenience therefrom."
"How would the traffic that now
finds its way along Byrd street be pro-
vided for 2"
"By widening Canal street, which
will be under our plan seyenty-one feet
broad, with a sidewalk. as now, on one
side, giving an exceptionally commo-
dious wagOn-way."
What about Eighth street,
Eighth street south of the canal
ought in my opinion to be devoted to
railroad traffic, and you will recollect
that the Richmond and Allegheny
railroad is already empowered by law
tocloseit thirty-fye minutes out ofevery
sixty, which is really tantamount to a
dedication. 1t seems to me that the
interest of the city will be best served
by admitting frankly what We all know
to be the case-that the neighborhood
about which we are talking must be
given up chiefly to the railroads."
"What you say is true, Major, and
every one admits the need of the depot.
Now, when do you expect to take the
initiative step towards building it?"
why, sir, | have already had an
interview with the Committee on Streets
upon the ground. They will give me
further hearing in a few days, when
shall present to them graphically as
we'll as orally the ideas ] have ex-
pressed to you, and then await their
favorable report to the Council. ] am
sure there will be no delay in the work
after the necessary legislation by the
Council shall have taken place. | look
forward confidently to receiving pas
sengers in Richmond station worthy
of the city before next winter"
Suppose you can't get the neces-
sary legislation"
I'VE shall have to content ourselves,
as heretofore, with wretcbed temporary
expedients until more liberal councils
prevail"
MANCHESTER MATTERS.