New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-05
THE PROPOSED NEW cry BJILDING


The passage by the Legislature OF 1894 of an
act repeating the law Of 1872 permitting the
removal of the City Hall, and It's approval by
Governor Flower Il year and Il half ago, put an
end To the Tammany scheme of tearing down or
removing this historic ediiice ana erecting in its
place a huge pile big enough to supply office
room for all the city departments. This project
had been pushed theoretically by Mayor GlIroy'
and for a time it appeared impossible to defeat
IT, Indeed. the people Of New-lork had almost
resigned themselves to what seemed the inevl-
table and were seriously considering whether
il would be possible to take the old Hail down
stone 10y stone and set it up on some other site
for use as museum or library building. An
extensive competition among architects had been
arranged by the commission Of which Mr.. Gil
roy was the head. and more than 100 plans for
the proposed new structure had been submitted.
Then came a sudden revival Of interest in the
plan of preserving the City Hail. the Legislature
was induced to take favorable action. and Gov
ernor Flower creditaby signed the repeal bill in
spite of all the pressure that was brought to bear
upon him.
Since then our citizens have felt reasonably
secure as respects the venerable City Hall, and
year ago has made it certain that revival Of
the Tammany scheme is not to be feared tor
some time to come. At all events though II lam
many should be restored 10 power and Demo
cratic Legislature elected it IL not improbable
that the now-discredited project would be again
taken up 1t Is eminently fitting, therefore. that
the provision Of additional room for the munic-
pal departments should be undertaken during
the present administration. With that end in
view two members Of the Board OF Estimate,
Corporation Counsel Scott and Mr.. Jerooman.
the President Of the Board Of Aldermen were
recently directed to investigate the matter ana
report their conclusions to the Board Their
recommendation is that the old Hall Of Records,
the old brownstone building and the engne-house
now in the City Hall Park be demolished and
that substantial building be erected at the
northeast corner of the park. 1t Is their opin-
ion that a building covering less ground space
than the three structures whose removal Is con
tcmplatcd would furnish ample room for the de-
plrtmcnts now provided for in those buildings
and accommodate other departments "a we'll
The Tribune has steadily believed that the
best solution Of the question Of new city build
ing would he to purchase site outside Of the
there Is much TO commend itself to the popular
judgment in the proposal Of McssrS .Jeroloman
and Scott Indeed. we suggested similar plan
years ago, as far preferable to the loss of the
City Hall. Certainly If the park IS to furnish
site for the new building this is the best plan
ever suggested-unless. indeed. the unbeauful
and unsavOry Courthouse We're to be torn down
and spacious and attractive building reared In
its place. The erection Of such building az is
now proposed would give a Quietus for gen
Grafton at least To all plans for the destruction
Of the City Hall; and by that time we trust that
public opinion will have become enlightened
that not even Il Gilr0y will dare seriously to
propose such an act Of sacrilege. That would
be true also If the new municipal building were
placed outside of the park, and we still believe
this TO he the best solution Of the problem. But
a suitable site near the park would certainly be
costly and the municipal authorities may have
good reasons for believing that they should not
assume the responsibility for a urge outlay for
site. seeing that the building Itself will involve
a large expenditure
There Is IN imperative necessity for Il fire
proof building in which the valuable records
now exposed to easy destruction in the old Hall
Of Records can be securely lodged. and there
will be economy in providing room in city
building for those departments which now oc-
cupy rented quarters. 4 building got under way
during the present administration will be sure
to be IN honest piece of work at least in its in
ceDtion and the opportunities for jobbcry would
be comparatively small If 'rammany should I'M
happily again get its clutchcson the city govern
mcnt.