New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
THE SITE DECIDED UPON.
CHOOSING The "srAATs ZETTUNG.. PLOT.
CHAMBERLAIN GRAIN Boards MAYOR GRANT

1T selected for purpose the triangular plot Of
land known as the Stats Zeitung' SITE bounded by
Tryon Row. Park Row, Duane-st and Centre-st The
property has front of ninety-seven feet in Tryoa
Row. 3O3 feet In Park Row. 301 feet in Duanest. and
A35 feet In Centrc-st, and its total area IS $500
square feet. The building when constructed, will
surround a courtyard with an area OF 421O0 square
feet. The estimated value OF the property is $1,000
900. The city already owns real estate valued at
$4,000 within this triangle. The "Staats 2etung1
property Is valued at 100000. To make use OF
his SITE Reade-st. and City Hall Place will have to
closed. from Centre-st TO Duane-st and Chambers
st. from Centrest. to Park Row. must be archcd
over.
There were present ut the meeting of the special
commission, which held in the Mayors Office
Mayor Grant. Recorder Smyth Chamberlain Grain,
Register Fitzgerald, Surrogate Ransom and Alderman
Brown, chairman Of the Finance Committee Of that
body The abSentees were Controller Myers, who said
at Tuesdays meeting that he would be out CT the
city yesterday, and County Clerk McKenna. who was
on his way to the Democratic state Convention at
Albany, in charge of the wet refres hments' of sec
lion s of the Tammany train. Deputy Controller Il.
s. storrs appeared the Controllers representative
but asked TO he excused from voting on the site
question. No objection was raised, and Mr.. Storrs
was excused
When the Mayor called the meeting to order. acting
Controller Storrs moved adjournment until
Tuesday. He said he made the request at the desire
of Controller Myers. Ills motion was lost. Police
Commissioner Charles +. MacLean the counsel for
Oswald Ottendon r, editor and principal proprietor
OF the stats Zeitung" repeated his statement made
on Thursday that sufficient time had been allowed
him to formulate his objections to the taking Of his
clients property. lie must therefore content himself
with simply n formal protest. Evan Jones, owner OF
No Centre-st., asked postponement of action lie
thought the Commission should wait and see II the
Postonice site would not revert to the ownership of
at-ha I'M NQN~. n
Postofce went uptown Mr.. Jones's suggestion was
not approved.
Mayor Grant offered this resolution:
Resolved, That we do hereby select and locate the
site b, wen to S Of se aws
IN the city Of New York. viz The parcels or pieces OF
a aSo streets HeG Prh Row. D1anest Centes Tryon
Row, including the :" Stats Zeitung' Building. the
same being shown and delneated upon the map hereto
annexed
A surprise awaited the Mayor and 1t almost took
his breath away. Surprising that the action TO be
taken would be promptly concurred in by all the
members present, lie about TO order the rolcall
ON his resolution when Chamberlain Grain said that
he objected to the proposed site and would like to be
heard Mr.. Grant looked at the young man VINO
used to be his private secretary. and whom he had
transferred to the most lucrative place within his
gift, with genuine anazement not to say contempt
An objection from Mr.. Grain about the last tmnS
the Mayor expected. The occupant OF the only S2oooo
lob under the city went 10 say that The IfyoD
Row site might be good but he preferred the
bounded by Chambers Centre and Reade sts occupying
that part OF the block cas-. of the Emlgraht savings
Bank Building. lie approved the regular shape ana
by running street OF sixty feet in Width through
the block on the west side of the site it would have
four open sides. only building of Irregular shape
could be placed upon the site The Mayor favored An
other serious objection, the Chamberlain said, WAS
that occupants of the new bdding If ii were crected
there would be subjected 10 the dirt and noise OF the
elevated trains, which would also darken the lower
windows This was Of the complaints which
come from the Law and Tax ID lartmentS, now In Tie
.staats- ZeitungD Building.
The Mayor did not attempt TO disguise his dis
pleasure at this action OF the young Chamberlain
You have changed you: mind very suddenly ABOUT
these Sites haven't your he asked, casting glance
Of reproach ut Mr. Grain, which made the Sat'ef
appear extremely uneasy. DO you Zee !uSunet
in such behavior after We have talked
this matter over and you have distinctly told me that
you agreed that this the best Ste We went over
this site together and you gave me 10 understand that
you favored IT. We're you fcoling then!'
Mr.. Grain grew red 10 the roots Of lis carefully
brushed hair and replied that he didn't fool Iheh
he said The sic proposed Is the cheapest WIZ
admit because it contains about S21OVcO OF city
property but we cOad sell the property and apply the
money to purchasing another Site
.You have made these discoveries quite recently,
the Mayor returned lcy. In answer TO an objection
from the surrogate, Mr. Grant added that the noise OF
the elevated trains would be Obvat when the Brook
lya Bridge Trustees and the Manhattan Company took
the property north Of the Bridge entrance and erected
q hig, building tor bridge terminus ana depot build
The roll was called on the final motion and Mayor
Grant, Recorder smyth. Surrogate Ransom.
Register Fitzgerald and Alderman brown Voted aye,
While Chamberlain Grain, solitary ana alone, Voleu
no. The absence Of County Clerk Mchenna was
other for IL than desire 10 minister to the
comfort Of the rammany braves ON Their way u ADaHy
Mr 9ttenaec4 was reported to hays eser his in
Guence 10 the extent OF convincing Mr. Mchchha VINO
candidate for his present Office, that it would be to his
Interest not TO appear Ola the record a. VVms 10 ae
Grains sudden flop" Tammany chief observed
Grain will be with Otendorfcr in the anti-hil
The Mayor appointed Recorder smyth and Rccisier
Fitzgerald committee TO confer with the property
for selling their without condemnation pro
cesdn, II this be done the Corporation Counsel
appo!ntment Of commissioners Of appraisal. The
committee will advertise In THE CITY Record ana
five daily papers for the and addresses Of the
property and description Of the Ilot owned by
each 4 public hearing will be announced when the
owners ctn Dr. their terms Of sale. The assessed
value Of the property. according 20 tho Tax Depart
mcnt records. is 100000 which places the
The properly to be taken has upon 1t few structnres
Of much valne except the staats zeitung" 6ulldins
type foundry at Chambers and Duane the Eas; River
Savings Bank and a seven story brownsione building
occupied in part by W & j. Treb0uts hardware store
on the east side Of Chambcrsst, are the best OF The
other structures. $1,000,
The new building when constructed IS to furnish
apartments for Departments Of Finance, Law Public
Works Taxes and street Cleaning and for the Siirro-
gates Registers and County Clerks Offices Ih hs
,ty is paving s34o.Oo0 year rent for Offices, which
viii h. saved by the erection OF this building.
IL was reported yesterday that Mr.. Otfnd0rfrr VIII
take legal proceeding TO prevent the acquisition DS ae
city OF his Substituting" property. But Comnis
sioner MacLean his counsel, would not confirm ms
rumor u cannot say yet what We VIII 90 Mr
MacLean said. we must examine the statutes be-
fore deciding ,s, ,.,
The rupture between the Mayor and the city Ch;il-
berlap resulting from the latters sudden OppOauoI
10 the site selected may turn out 10 be serons. Whe
The Commission adjourned Mr.. Grain approached me
Mayor with a smile and Offering his hand, SAID
Good day Mr.. Mayor, But Mr. Grant didn !
shake All that Mr.. Grain got was peculiarly