New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-25
THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

| This city will soon possess two new public
| buildings unless some unforeseen obstruction
delays the work. Preliminary specifications for
both of them have. been announced, and prize
competition of architects will determine the de-
tailed plans within few months. No fault is to
be found with the site selected for the Criminal
Court building on Centre-st. and the general
design adopted by the commissioners appears
to be adequate and suitable. We are glad that
slight official opposition to the Centre-st. site
was not regarded. That is not only the best
available place for the purpose, but it is pccu-
liarly adapted to meet the requirements Of the
case.
So much cannot be said for the location Of
the other municipal building 1t is exceeding
" unfortunate that further Infringement upon
the City Hall Park should be essential, though
we have supposed that it would be considered
unavoidable. Enormous sums of money arc
being expended in the acquisition OF open
spaces in different parts Of the city, and 1t is
much to be regretted that a necessity should
arise for diminishing a single one Of those al
ready possessed and enjoyed by the people.
At the same time, it is true that the eastern
edge of the City Hall Park il now so much en-
numbered that the vacant space is practically
monopoized as a thoroughfare, and that the
replacement of the old structures by new one
need not greatly interfere either with the pleas
IRE or the convenience of the public. Recog-
nizing these conditions THE TRIBUNE remarked
last winter that it would not strenuously OPP
pose the erection of single building on that
site. provided the plans were drawn with duo
regard TO its surroundings.
And this brings us TO the point OF saying that
we consider the preliminary specifications for
this structure radically bad. They call for
huge. and, so far as we can judge, an unsightly
pile. extending from Chambersst nearly to
the front line Of the City Hall, and so deep as
TO leave room for little if anything more than
paSSage-way between the two buildings.
Moreover it is to be so lofty as to dominate the
scene robbing the City Hall of the room which
il essential to its beauty, and diminishing it's
architectural value from every point of view.
As for the proposal to put an additional story
upon the City Hall, it is enough to say that this
is simply grotesque. The specifications provide,
possibly as a concession to the sentiment which
would protect one Of our few fine structures
from such fate, that the southern half of the
new building shall be considerably lower than
the northern, the tvs''partS being more or less
discovered to the eye by an archway or arcade
giving access to the elevated railroad and the
Bridge. 1t will be surprising if any architect
is able 10 devise a scheme of construction on
these lines which will rescue the City Hall from
oblivion without making the new building
monstrosity. What the natural conditions re-
qure is a severely simple editice of moderate
height which would not obtrude itself upon the
gaze from every point Of tina compass. but still
leave to the City Hall its quiet and grateful
supremacy, and to the Bridge an easy and
spacious approach. Such a design is not be-
yond the capacity of competent architect nm
hampered by artificial requirements. The new
building will outlivc the youngest Of those who
see its foundations laid. 1t ought not to be
an offence during every moment Of its existence