The Jersey City news., 1892-06-16
City HALL PLANS.
Sixteen Beautiful Designs
Which Promise Splen-
did Realization.
ONE HAS A CORNER TOWER.
The Montgomery Street View De-
Veloped by "Maltese Cross"
internal Accommo-
dations.

The City Hall Commissioners were
agreeably surprised this morning when
Clerk Farrell announced that by remain
ing in the office last night until six o'clock
ne mad received sixteen sets of plans for
the new City Hall. The system of COM
petition adopted by the Commissioners
with view to obtaining plans for as
handsome building as could be obtained
LOT S2oo,O00 was surprising success.
Plans for building which will be
credit to Jersey City in the most minute
detail have been rendered by the compet-
ing architects. Drawings of the build
ings proposed by the architects accom-
panied each set of plans. In most cases
the drawings were encased in handsome
frames. which tended to make the beauty
of the buildings more striking. The
plans all showed building
100 feet square. constructed of granite
blocks. The most modern ideas ara en-
bodied as the architectural display s, and
the Commissioners will experience con-
siderable difficulty in deciding which of
ehe plans are best. The whole number
show conclusively that high order of
workmanship has been broughS into play.
made as to persons, the architects So bmit-
ted their drawings under assumed names.
The Key To their identity Is held by City
Clark Scout, and the letters showing the
names OF the respective architects will
not be opened until the most suitable
plans have been selected and the answers
made.
1he sixteen drawings and accompany
ing plans will be open for public inspec-
ton for one week in the private Office of
Mayor Wanser.
A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN.
Perhaps the drawing which Is most
commodiously arranged and has the most
imposing appearance is the one presented
by that architect who has taken for
his Identifying device a Maltese cross.
his building Is fashioned somewhat after
that model of architecture which graces
New York city's greatest thoroughfare,
the Equitable Building. 1t may fairly be
said that it eXcels in artlstic qualities
those of rival architects. In point Of
construction it would, if erected in strict
accordance with the plans submitted
form monument to the Demo
cratic administration of affairs in
this city to which great and
small might point with pride. From the
point of adaptation TO the city's needs the
gentleman OF the Maltese Cross had
evidently studied the situation. The,
| building as shown In the drawing is OIL
granite, four stories in hight with tower
at the southern end which is the
delight of the City Hall Commissioners,
| and cupola of Roman design at the
northern end, which is another point for
admiration. The windows are large and
arched, and are numerous, thus insuring
perfect ventilation and light The decor
ations are of a unique design and in keep
ing with the appearance and cost Of the
building.
A balcony in the front Of the building is
one OF its chief features. The commits
sioners at first objected somewhat to the
presence of the tower on the southern
side, believing that it should be in the
center. The architect. however, whoever
he may be, knew his business we'll when
he located the tower on the southern
cry Street end, or main point
of vantage of the proposed structure. The
building cannot face prominently on any
street from the nature of the site. but the
main view will always be from Mont
gomery street. and the tower on the
Southern end makes the building more
prominent ON that side.
INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS.
On the first floor the architect has very
wisely located the Office of the City Coll
lector with the office of the Comptroller
adjoining it. and connected by pneumatic
tubes. Across a well lighted and well
ventilated hall are the offices of the City
Clerk and Water Registrar. This
QuarIeLCo OIL OFFICES, comprising t0c
most important offices under the
CITY government, are together
aud easy of access. On the
second floor are found the officers of the
Mayor and Mayors Secretary. the Mayors
reception room, Board of Finance room
and private offices, City Lawyers. Com
missloners of Appeals, Tax Commission
ers Board Of Education and Aldermanic
Chambers.
| On the third floor the Street and Water
Commissioners hold forth, with the Street
Superintendent, Sidewalk Inspector.
Commissioners of Assessments, Engi-
neeriug Bureau and Building Depart
| ments for neighbors The Aldermanic
chamber is so arranged that it extends
from the second story to the roof The
entrance to the building is on a level with
the sidewalk, and is made attractive by
the presence of immense ornamental pill
| lars.
OTHER GOOD PLANS.
The "Romanesque." ana Hudson"
| architects also have now good share of
praise, and are in the race for first place.
20 l. c." resembles too greatly the State
House. 1.-The "Mascot" is an attempt at
a copy of the capitol at Washington, ID.
G. Liberty and Prosperity" "'Pavonia,
ard the others are deserving of COM
mendation.