Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-10
BOTH HAVE TO co.
A Fine Building to Replace
the Grand and Harris,
WHEN DIAMOND is WIDER.
The Coleman Heirs Want Property
That Pays Better.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS In SIGHT

If Diamond alley is widened-and that
fact seems to be pretty well established now
-as soon as the Board of Viewers gets
through with its work. Pittsburg will be
minus the Grand Opera House. The Cole
man heirs, the owners of the house, have
not been asleep, and in the event of the
widening the Opera House building will be
replaced with another on a handsomer scsle.
The widening of the thoroughfsre will cut
of 25 feet of the Grand Opera House prop
erty. The directors of the heirs are Willis
T. McCook, Mr.. Noll and Mr.. Miller.
When the original proposition to make
wider street out Of Diamond alley was
broached, these gentlemen talked over the
situation.
PLENTY OF PLANS.
A number of plans were suggested, but as
the time for action had not arrived, nothing
definite was done. As a result of this meet
ing various rumors got afoat. One was that
on the Opera House site grand eight-story
building was to be constructed, for Office
purposes. Another, that the theater was to
be changed into hotel, and the lower floors
on the street would be fitted up elegantly for
stores.
No doubt the directors evolved such
schemes in their minds when they met, but
thev haven't decided what they will do.
Yesterday it was again reported that a big
Office building, to replace the theater, was
contemplated, and that the plans and details
had already been worked out. A reporter
visited Willis f. McCook, at his handsome
home in Swissvale, and when he was asked
for the plans of the new Coleman building,
he replied:
"What plans? What building? There
must be some mistake"
MERELY A BIT PREMATURE.
When some further explanations were
made, Mr.. McCook said: "Well, now, am
one of the directors OF the Coleman heirs,
but can assure you no plans for any build
ing to replace the Grand Opera House have
yet been prepared This is entirely prema-
ture, and everything depends on the widen
ing of Diamond alley. If that street is
brosdened it will cut of 25 feet of the build
ing, and we couldn't leave it in that shape
Certainly, there would be one less theater in
Pittsburg, for we would never rebuild an
other A theater on that site doesn't pay
The real estate is too valuable, and we can't
get enough money in rent to make it worth
while putting up another Opera House.
"When we made the new lease with Mr..
Harris for his house, it was with the agree
menI that it would terminate when Mana
ger Wits did. The latter's lease was made
for nine years. and, of course, while these
men hold the property we couldn't make
the improvements reported on the streets
Tenants have rights which the law respects
II the city takes part of the property, this
cancels the leases, and we would be then in
a position to do something. What would
be done with the building, 1 really do not
know"
''Then it is not true that you intend put
ting up an eight-stOry building for offices?"
was asked.
NEVER ANOTHER THEATER.
'No," Mr.. McCook replied. ''Thst
question has not been decided. If the front
of the building is improved, we certainly
would have to fix up the rear, and if any
changes are made we would build through
the block. At present we are in position
where we can't do anything. You can say
this that the new building won't be theater.
Whether it will be full of Offices
10 dAsO SOmetuluS budt VIII Qe-
pend on the time when the
change will have to be made. 1t may be
be put off to such a day when Pittsburg
will be overcrowded with offices, and it
would be folly to erect such a building.
When it is positively decided that Diamond
alley will be widened, then we will begin to
think what we will do"
1t is quite certain that as soon as the street
complications are settled some big property
improvements will be made along Fifth ave-
nue. and Diamond street. Other property
holders are contemplating changes in the
event of the widening, and in a few years
Pittsburgers may see fine array of credit
able structures facing these two thorough
fares between Market and Smithfeld
streets.
Among these Improvements might be
mentioned that the Times Publishing Com
pany proposes to erect fine building on the
site of the Central station. This looks as if
Diamond alley will be widened finally. 1t
is understood that the plans for this build
ing have been fully considered, and that
the structure looks very fine indeed, on
paper.