New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-31
THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING
DO THEA PEOPLE WANT IT IN CITY HALL
PARK?
MAYOR GRANT ASKS FOR PUBLIC HEAfiN'
THE QUESTION = SEPTEMBER
NAMED AS THE DAY.

M.vor Grant did not return from tho Adirondacks
v.st.rsy in time &c present at the meeting OF the
SINKING Fund Commissioners but he had lett win
SECRETARY Grain an important letter. which was read
and acted upon advising the most careful deiDerauoh
IN the consideration of the erection Of tho new Munich
nal Rufldinc in City Hall Park, and in view OF the
severe and extensive hostility which has been shown
against a scheme to- make the park tho site of tho
buIldng suggesting THAT public hearing DO ordered
and that all citizens be invited 10 give their views on
the subject
President JOINTLY. Arnold. Of the Board OF Alder
men presided as Acting Mayor, In the absence Oh
MAYOR Gram. letter from Thorn, Wilson d Schar-
schmidt the architects sto Nwhom has been awarded
the contract for the Criminal Court Building IN
C.ntle.st was read, IN which they accept the same
and promise faithfully to fulfil its terms resolution
offered by Controller Myers adopted ting them
70 begin at the work The City surveyor
was ortered TO mako plot OF the site. and $40 was
appropriste1 for sinking FIVE test piles, under inc
direction Of the Commissioner Oh fuoho "oiAS' ="
determine the foundations
After the. Board had resolved itself into the Special
commission, In accordance with Chapter 81 OF he
laws of 1850 which provides for the erection OF ths
now Munc fpa Building in City Hall Park, the Mayor
letter on the subject was read. 1t is as folo"s'
p,ore tn FINAL selection OF the new Municipal
puudinr feel that would be eminenty proper 70 Jake
int, orious consideration opposition which has been
manifested TO the erection OF any additional structures IN
the City Hall Park.
In nv annual message the Common Council brought
this matter to the attention OF the Aldermen, III the nope
that il Won provoke discussion which would ehishVeh
the Legislature and the local authorities upon the se OF
pubc onnbon with reference TO this subject Whe the
measure was pending before the Legislature there ap-
reared to opposition TO its enactment but since IL
became Iaay it provoked and extensive hos
tlly.
am firmly convinced that conclusion on this subject
should be reached careful elaboration, and
after patti -n the fullest light that can
be shed upum it. For my part, do not feel that the
question slerey Of expense Important as the cost
Of site may be economic sense. the difficulty OF
obtaining suitable outside the park presents sun
difficult and embarrassing question 1t appears to me
that public building worthy of the importance and great
ness Of this city should be erected in place where
its architectural beauty would be obscured impaired by
mean Inappropriate surroundings. IL may be, how
ever that oppose OF the present
law be.abe afford suggestions this aspect
Of the matter which viii greatly simplify the problem
with which confronted.
therefore suggest that public hearing be ordered by
Commissioners appointed by Chapter 81 Of the Laws
1885, and that all citizens be invited TO give expression
they may have formed upon the subject
so that by tie possession Of the fullest information dis
position may be made CT the consistent with the
highest interests OF the Municipality.
Controller Myers then offered resolution. which
passed unanimously, appointing public hearing as
suggested b. the Mayor, to be held Wednesday.
September d. at D. m. at the Mayors office. The
time for the IeceUtOn of plans and specifications
from architccts for the building extended from
August / to.October i.