New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-11

PLAN FOR CITY HALL AND APPROACHES
The City Hall is not suitable for library. 1t is
In every way suitable for a City Hall, and that Is
the very reason why II cannot possibly be appro-
pirate for library. properly constructed build
Ing" he added "can be suitable only for the purpose
for which II Is designed; a city hall remains city
hail. library a library. The old City Hall would
make an admirable repository for the ctys historical
treasures, OF which there many; its interior
could be readily altered TO meet the requirements
of such building. and it would Itself be valuable
feature in such a collection But II the city OF
New-York wants a new library building and
such as this great city should have. new build
ing should be put up
ADVOCATING A BIGGER PARK.
Edward II. Kendall No. 80 Ffth-ave.. was OF
the opinion that further space in City Hall Park
should be taken up by buildings and that the open
space was only desirable. but necessary. Mr.
Kendall favors the extension OF the park. 1.-THE
Postoffice and Court House. he said, should be
removed, the City Hall should be made fireproof,
which could easily be accomplished. and then the
reconstructed building would make most appro-
pirate and a beautiful museum for the Historical
Society Of New-York. Failing this. let the City
Hall be taken 10 the plot Of land which the Hsiori-
cal Society owns 1t would be fine monument TO
old NewYork. and fitting place 70 exhibit matters
pertaining to the history. growth and development
OF our city. The City Hail might be converted into
a library. but 1t would be more satisfactory 10
erect new building
r. H. Robertson No. 100 Fifth-ave.. said: Speak
ing from artistic point Of view, 1t is certainly
not desirable to put up any more buildings In the
park. and open space is preferable; all open
space would he the best. and II values were regu-
lated from that point OF view the preservation OF
the park or It's extension would add 10 the value or
the adjacent property. But the tendency now IS to
draw away from that section Of the city, and look
ing upon the matter from a commercial point OF
view, the public buildings that can be crowd
ed into the space the traffic can be attracted
that way. the more valuable Will the property be-
come and both plans undoubtedly advocated
GOOD FOR LIBRARY BUILDING.
1.-THE old City Hall is beautiful building. ana
would make a good nucleus for a library building
and though entirely new structure might be
erected with the money that 1t would take 10 pull
down. remodel and re-erect this. would be In Ia
yor Of taking this building. because by doing so we
would preserve OF the best pieces OF architect
ural work we have in the city. the style would be
maintained In the elaboration or extension or the
structure, and that would act as a balance wheel
and prevent any departure to other more elaborate
and possibly less appropriate style.
In any event, Mr. Robertson would deprecate any
plan having in view the destruction OF the present
City Hall.
OF any more buildings in the park ION the con-
trarv" he SAID "the Tweed monument and the
Postoffice should be taken down In order TO BRING
out the beauties OF the City Hall. which Is build
ing that city might be proud or AS 10 an open
space adding 10 the value Of property near II, that
depends. AS for me. think a park would enhance
the value Another might think that no park and all
buildings such as would bring people that way.
would have an enhancing tendency; but In any case
Improvement be 1t in the shape of park or building
benefits adjacent property.
THE present City Hall is not suitable for good
comprehensive library. While 1t would be well to
preserve the old shell. the result would not be
new modern library built in keeping with the
latest ideas on that subject. and comparison or
the City Hall with any one OF the Libraries now
being erected will fully demonstrate that point
New wings would have 10 be added for book STACKS
and the changes throughout would be so extensive
that the cost would be quite as much as Tor a ne"
and more conveniently designed building
TT WOULD MAKE 4 GOOD MrSEtA
Mr. Price also suggested the museum scheme. and
said: "The City Hall would be well suited for
museum Such building Is needed mere "here
the various historical societies might store their
relics, where meetings could be held. ana where the
stranger visiting New-York might see objects ana
documents pertinent the citys history which are
now scattered and in some Instances insecurely
housed When the new City Hall Is erected II II
be placed the site OF the present buiidihg, IL WI"
have 10 be severe. massive bu'Idng Void OF an
light or Hrnsy decoration for unless IL be 80 IL WI"
be dwastsd and dominated BY the high p"io"ss
which surround g."
CHARLES c. Haight. No. Iii broadway when spvnem
70 on the subject. said: ITO cover the XIV "'