St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-03
The Assemblyman Proposes
a Scheme to Utilize the
Market House.
He Would Convert 1t Into q
@ public Bath, Library and
Auditorium.
Rough Outline Of the Details
Of Possible Changes in
the Building.
An Apparently Feasible and
Commemorate Idea on the
Subject.

at the last meeting of the assembly
MIR. Van Slyke introduced a preamble
and resolution touching possible re-
modelling of the market house into a
building which would contain public
baths, home for the public library and
an auditorium. Mr.. Van Sykes pro-
posal was referred to the committee on
public buildings, and from present in
dications there it is likely to die. The
impression seems to prevail that the
coming legislature will pass an act to
enable the city TO dispose of the market
hall property, and If this is done many
citizens hope to see it sold for a
large sum. that may be utii-
lied to purchase a cheaper piece
of property and thereon erect
the kind of building st. Paul is so
much in need of. All this is purely
problematical. of course, for even if the
Legislature does as expected by those
who favor selling, the reform admin
istratiOn must be taken into considera-
ton, and it is liable to discourage any
enthusiast who will analyze its history
thus far.
In the meantime it will be interesting
to consider what the adoption of As
semblyman Van Sykes plan would re-
suit in. 1t would provide for public
baths. with a large swimming tank, i'll
the basement. The dimensions would
be 75X2S0, which would give ample
space for all necessary arrangements of
partitions, private rooms, ante rooms
al hi al
ern, well-equipped public bath house.
Entrances could be provided for OH Wa
baSha. st. Peter and Seventh streets.
In the arrangement of the second, or
ground floor, three stores would be pro-
vided for on the WabaSha street end,
each 25X100 feet, which would be very
desirable, both in size and location, for
almost any kind of business. The bal
ance Of this fool would be given up to
the uses of a public library. This would
allow space 75X1S0, and of sufficient
heightsto give Immense shelf room. AS
will be developed later on, it would also
contain a reading room practically apart
from the library proper, and splendidly
arranged for the purpose intended.
On the top floor the auditorium would
outlined, cOntemplates an extension on
the alley side, on the bay window order.
The outward swell would begin at
sufficient distance from the end
walls of the auditorium to al
low of dressing rooms, and the
seats could be very handily arranged to
give complete view of the stage--the
arrangement of which, by the way,
would assure good acouSticS-from all
parts of the house. The stage extension
could be continued to the ground. thus
providing splendid location for the
reading room spoken of above, as we'll
as allowing of desirable lighting facili-
ties.
Thus it will be seen that even at a
haSty glance the proposed plan has
many commendable features, and even
if only good library room were pro-
vided Ethe property would not be toe
valuable to put to such use, but would
grow in popularity with the people as
the years go on, because of its location
at central point from all portions OF
the city. The cost of remodeling might
be made as little or much as desired
but probably 100000 would cover the
expense of very seryiceable rear
rangeinent of the present building. The
city of Boston once sold Fanuell hall
under almost similar circumstances tt
those prevailing here at present. and
some years later was compelled by pub
lie clamOr to buy the property back al
an advance considerably over 81, 600, 600
st. Paul should look ahead.