New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-06

y
TO HARMoNIzE WITH THE PRESENT BUILD
ING-ADvANrAGEs or THAT LOCATION
GEORGE I. RrvEss VIEWS.
1t has been definitely settled in the minds of
the trustees representing the Astor Library, the
Lenox Library and the Tilden Trust Fund, which
have been consolidated into the New-York Pub
lie Library, that the site for the great library
will be on the block of ground bounded by Flfth
and Madison aves. and Seventieth and Seventy
first SITS The matter has gone so far that several
conferences have been held between Mckim'
Mead e. White the well-known firm OF archi-
tects. and some Of the trustees OF the Pubic
Library looking to the erection OF a suitable
building on this site This firm erected the build
ing of the Boston Public Library, which is re-
garded as one Of the finest library buildings
both from an architectural point Of view and in
its internal arrangements, in the country.
Architecturally this block of ground offers ex-
ceptonal advantages. y frontage Of 200 feet on
Central Park gives a chance for superb archi
tectural display. and as the plot Is situated on
high ground. the building will be conspicuous. 1t
is something Of a question yet in the mnds Of
some Of the trustees whether or not the present
Lenox Library Building. which occupies the
western front Of this site shall be torn down for
tccturally The present structure was built in
most substantial manner at a cost Of about
hair million dollars. occupies the entire front
OF the site facing Central Park. extending 2oo
feet between seventeen and Seventy-hrst SIS,
and running back nearly 100 feet. The entire plot
| of ground owned by the Public Library Is about
200x420 so that the present building occupies
only small portion Of this site 1t Is doubtful,
however if this massive granite structure will be
torn down More probably the new building
which viii cover the entire plot of ground, will
be- designed - as 10 harmonize with the present
structure
Under the will by which this property was
given to the Lenox Library. II is stipulated that
all that block Of ground east Of the library build
| ing shall be used for other purpose than that
of erecting library building on IT, with the ex-
caption Of the front facing Madison-ave.. and
| running back i20 feet. l. was the original idea
that on this space in Madison-ave. running back
l2o feet. houses should b" bull, TO be rented SO
a. to supply revenue FOR the purposes Of the IL
brarv. Under the will, however there is no re
strction that would prevent the library building
from covering this strip. Thus. having an entire
block Of ground at their disposal the architects
have a rare opportunity for erecting one OF the
finest buildings in the city. II has been the great
difficulty with al great public buildings to secure
a desirable site Here the site is secured and the
money IS ready for tn, enterprise. So that IN a
short time New York can boast Of having not only
one If the finest libraries ~ the word. but also
ONE of the finest library buildings
MIR RIVES'S OPINIONS
George l.. Rlves. trustee of the Lenox Lii
b,lr, and one Of the men who have been active
in bringing about this library consolidation. was
seeu Al his office No. - Nassau-st., yesterday
afternoon and said:
Th. trustees who have charge Of The Public Ii
brary interests have recSghLtl & &hmT ,SSt re,stn M
portance of getting tho rght site. for ths le"Sou
w. have gone a little slowly IN the matter anu
SE,ions be,ring on the subject Having duly CON
~id,r.d AN the various aspects OF the case, ! am
convinced that no available site offers sreai,r du, ~
,,utapes Than the Ienox Library site. II would be
a most ,Ntravagaut thing for US IN adminlst"
10 abanIo the Lenox Library size and purchase
one elsewhere. Hy the conditions OF thr VIII un..
ground AN but small portion OF the DOCK can
d., used for no other purposes than those oi H.
l:lrN. 50 that " ". purchased another Sl'e w
N.iI' ~, n t, a. rcrbor could ~. build upon IL a
revenue except un the Madison-ave frontdEe. !
40 not pretend L, be real-estate expert, Dit /
b,,id ,, ,hf h. value OF the land thus restricted
to library purposes would be we'll on 10 a million
To- l." ltft III. when every OF the money placed
al disposal could be put To greatest advantage
AtIAlNSl biN h.N ] ANN
do not favor the Bryant Park site FOR several
reasons one OF these l. that think II wrong 10
take any park lands FOR building purposes when
w. have SO few breathing places on Manhattan
Island Th, great cry has been that We have not
parks enough. especially downtown. II the city
does not have use FOR the reservoir. IT ought to
b. torn down and utilized as an extension Of Bryant
Park 1t Is an uusightly mass Of masonry. and IL
would be A benefit 4 II were removed ana the site
turned into a pleasure ground Another objection
IN eif Is that IL Is exceedingly NOISY place
There are few streets in New York that have more
traffic than Fifth-ave. At this point. Then. again
Forty st is a great thoroughfare. and 1t
seems be- growing into great business stree
Ike Twenty third and Fourteenth SITS, ana yet II
any one Vas to suggest constructing a library
building In Twenty-ihlrd or Fourteenth sis; near
Sixth-ave. or Flfth-ave. he would be regarded as
being very uuwse ,, T.,
Tne fr-t and great object of the consodation Is
10 establish "A reference library for the encourage,
mcnt OF researches IN all branches OF history ana
science, In saying this do no, overlook the fact
that library for IN" masses Is a most resi'hple H
feature. but when YOU come TO think of II how
many books are there that me ordinary business
or workns man would car" t. read In a lifetime :!
Their llue of reading ordinarily ~ confined 10 ne
umes would be a large estimate Tor library that
would meet every want Of the average citizen or
twenty libraries OF 5000 volumes each all over New
York civ where they would oe most convenient
t. the masses and where they could get almost
any book that the ordinary reader would care TO
pcrusp But working students researchers ana the
hooks M their fingers ends The official documents
the old manuscripts. the rare books on special
Of which would interest the average reader. must
bc ,,n fhrred together In building where they
,.u h, i'm easy reach OF the working reader. IL
rnnkos very lit;c difference to this class OF men
wh~her such library be situa ted at Bryant Park
IN "a athciral Heights or on the LenoX Library
sito II is far more desirable for them to have the
l,brarv situated I'm place where they will be- a
n,tla removed from the hurrying. bustling stream
~ travel and from the crowding of people who
are 'rrtaiing books merely, f2r amu51sment than
a. have II in such Il central place as Forty second
St and Fifth-avA
UENT DOUN WfTH THE TRESTLE