The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-06-18
Two BZCBLLBNT PLANS
"Pavonia" and ''Hudson's'
Proposed City Halls
Are Much Praised.
INTERNALLY COMMODIOUS
The One is Notable for Solidity, the
Other for 0rnament-0ther
Good Designs.

Clerk Farrell, of the Board OF City
Holl Commissioners. was kept busy yes
terday and until noon today attending to
the tax payers and curiosity seekers who
visited City Hall to inspect the drawings
and plans submitted by competing archl-
tects for the new City Hall. With view
to having the drawings, many of which
were handsomely framed. properly dis
played, Frank Ennis was engaged to
hang them in conspicuous places on the
walls of the Mayors private office. In
this manner each architects work was
given equal opportunity. None but
favorable comments have been heard.
The chief objection, however. to some of
the designs is that it is an utter impos-
sibility 10 erect, considering the amount
of piling to be done. such buildings as
they represent for s25ooO0. 1t is highly
probable that no more appropriations
will be made for City Hall purposes, as it
IS feared by many officials that any at
tempt to increase the amount would meet
with strenuous objections from the tax
payers.
MORE LAND WANTED.
Mayor Wanser, in a way favors the con-
demuation of the entire block bounded by
Grove, Montgomery, henderson and Mer-
Ger sire cts.
''Such site is needed" said he, yester-
Gay. but fear the bnilding is costing
enough now. If any attempt is made to
condemn the entire block, legal compli-
cations will arise and the erection of the
building will be delayed. We need new
City Hall, and the sooner it is erected the
better it will be for everyone"
PAVONIA'S PLAN.
The drawing and plans submitted by
the architect who adopts Maltese cross
for an identifying device are sill favored
by great number of people who have
inspected the work Of the competing
arcnisects. President Washburu OF the
Hudson County National Bank, Pastor
Brett. Mr.. Edlow w. Harrison. and
many gentlemen we'll verse; in building
also passed compliments upon the draw
ing submitted by ''Pavonia."
The design is modern. Unnecessary
trimmings are conspicuous by their alb
seDce. The drawing shows the building
to be substantial one aud pleasing to
the eye. 1t attracts attention at once III
asmuch as the building has the APPEARANCE
Of a municipal structure. In the centre,
facing henderson street,is square tower
with a clock on each side for its only orna-
ment. The building is three stories in
ventilated basement. The entrance is
unique. Three massive doors which are
approached by ten steps with n rounding
platform at the fifth step makes the en-
trance graceful ana roomy.
The building is we'll arranged too
Those offices of the city government
which should be connected are on the
same floor and easy of access. The first
floor from the entrance IS made beautiful
by the iurnensity of the vestibule. On
the Montgomery street side is located the
office of the City Treasurer, with private
Offices and ample provision for vaults for
tae storage of securities and valuable
documents. Adjoining it is the office of
the City Comptroller with private offices
Tor him. and in the rear of this office is
that of the City Collectors, with its pri-
vate offices and vaults. Across the vesti-
bue and facing Mercer street are the
Offices of the City Clerk, Water Registrar
and Permit Clerk of the Board of Street
and Water Commissioners On the sec
oud floor the offices of the Tax Commis-
siopers. Commissioners of Appeals and
Finance Commissioners face Mont gomery
street. The Mayors office, private office
ard office of the Mayors Secretary are
located directly over the vestibule. Fac
ing Mercer street are the offices of the
Street and Water Commissioners. Clerk,
Aldermanic Chamber, which extends to
the roof, and Board of Education. The
third floor is occupied by the District
Courts, Board of Health, Water Surveyor,
Overseer of the Poor, Street Commission
CT, Commissioners of Assessment, City
Surveyor, Chief Engineer, Drafting room,
tool rooms and rooms for the Janitor.
The building is so planned that light and
ventilation are ample
HUDSON'S PLAN.
Beside the 'Maitese Cross and "Pa-
vonia' drawings, Hudson" comes in for
fair share of praise and commendarion.
Hudson's drawing shows fancy build
ing with entrance from the sidewalk set
off by the presence of immense pillars.
The arrangement of the offices is some
what different than the others presented
and receives the approval of many of the
city officials who have looked them over.
On the first floor facing Montgomery
street are the offices of the Comptroller
and City Collector, with private office
and vaults, the Mayors private office,
office of his private secretary , and offices
of the City Treasurer and City Clerk. All
the offices are in direct communication
with each otner by doors and pneumatic
Water Registrar, Wafer Department..
Chief Engineers Office, Board of Street
and Wafer Commissioners, committee
rooms, clerks office OF Street Comnis-
sioners. engineering and drafting depart
ment, Tax Commissioners of Assessment,
and Board of Finance On the third
floor the architect probably believing that
Van Houten Post G. A. r. goes where
the City Hall goes, has SET aside room
for the veterans adjoining, the District
court room, Board of Trade, Board of
Free Commissioners, Directors of the
Board of Educr tlon, and an immense
Aldermanic Chamber. which can be en-
enlarged by means OF Il sliding door con-
Meeting with the Board of Trade room.
The rooms are well designed aud are large
and convenient.
PRAlSEW0RTHY UNITY.
The plans submitted by Unity" also
come in for fair share of appreciation.
Although not as elaborate as their neigh
bors, they show substaD tialtty and
beauty. The plans submitted by 80. I. c."
are also greatly admired. These are sup
posed to be the work of Louis Broome
the drawing resembles greatly the State
House at Trenton. The principal obJec-
tion to this drawing is the belief that 1t is
too elaborate to be built with the appro-
priatiou in the hands Of the Commission
ers. The plans will remain open for pub
{ lie inspection for another week.