Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-01-20


- unaa1ses - rseha. Vim nzses go
80 shskr n~>ts~.wss-<
yow nssxly three nsnnkhs Secretary
Whi6oenah. ef tie BaitderS and
xsaAsz1 ExehAnks, has hen quissiy II
vork snenrns estimates. data and
sfnsstses for the construction. equip
nsns and occupancy 81 "a indspsnr
dent building for the use Of the Cos
trsetors' aud Bnlder4 Association, Who
nou occupy the narrow quarters IN the
baiiding GA ottawa-st. he was not -
snrsd that his scheme uoaid meet win
appreciation. and 10 save himself enl-
basFxssment. be rsfrainsd from con1d-
ing il 70 he most intimate friends- 4
few days ago. however. armed With
formidable backing Of documentary
memoranda. be mentioned the subject
TO several members Of the exchange
and MAS sgreeAhly surprised 70 learn
that they were heartily IN favor OF his
plan. Thus encouraged, he made .
more extended canvass among the
members and met with the vazmsst ap-
prevail from all.
80 il IL practically settled that the
builders and traders Will have . home
Of their own, and true TO the traditions
Of their several callings, II viii be .
sdandy."
Secretary whitcomb has already Sc
cured options on several desirable lots
whose values range from $500 TO 5000.
All OF them are sccessibiy located and
IN the business district, and the seiec.
ton of any one OF them would make
an imposing and magnificent ornament
20 the already numerous and beautiful
business blocks OF the city.
The general idea of what the build
ing should be like, and its cost and ar
rangement, Is still in an embryonic
state. Mr.. Whltcomb will present the
subject To the regular meeting OF tho
exchange, to be held on Thursday
evening. His plan contempiates the
erection of six-story building TO cost
rot less than $40 900. Tho front eleya-
ton will be deliberately ornamented with
terra-cotta or other suitable trimmings.
while the body of the work will be In
iron or brick. The basement will be
raised similar to that in the new
Shepard block, and when completed
will be utilized as an open depot for
builders and contractors supplies. The
first floor will be devoted to the ex-
change proper, consisting Of suite OF
rooms for the officers and committees,
and a large lobby or main hall where
the bulletins of business, advertise
ments, open bids and the general busi-
ness of the exchange will be transacted.
A new rule will be doubtless established
calling . regular daily session OF the
exchange at an hour stated.
The remaining four floors will be
divided into Offices. These will DO
allotted to tho members of the ex-
change, after which tho remaining
suites will be let to professional men
and manufacturers' agents.
The entire structure will be fitted
with all the modern appliances and
couveniences. An elevator will extend
from the basement to the roof.
1t will be heated throughout with
steam, perfectly lighted by large win
dows in the daytime and incandescent
lights in the night. An aununcIator in
the ianitor's rooms will communicate
with all the rooms. and each room will
be connected IN like manner withev-
cry other. A perfect system Of venti-
lation and sewerage Will be adopted.
The building will remove many Of the
inconvenience now q source of annoy
ance to those transacting business in
the exchange, and will secure TO the
contractors u privacy that is impossible
under the present arrangement.
The building will be very attractive
INTELLECTUALLY, and loom up as fit
ting testimonial TO the public spirit and
enterprise of the builders and traders
exchange.