New-York tribune., 1896-04-01
TO BE OPENED TO-DAY.
PLAN OF THE NEW
GREENPoINT STATION.
NEW VENTURE RY THE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
RAILROAD COMPANY WHICH is EXPECTED
TO RENEFIr THE MEN AS WELL. AS
THE coRPoRATIoN-A BIG con-


soLLDArIoN SCHEME
With TODAY the new crosstown station OF the
BROOKLYN Heights Street Railroad Company, al
Manhattan-ave and Box-st.. Greenpoint. VIII De
opened for general use The opening Is most
important one TO the 500 conductors ana motor
men who will have a headquarters at the new
structure, as II marks what might De termed d
socia, experiment as well as business improve
zent The new depot is not alone designed 10 De
mere receptacle of cars and temporary shelter
for employees. but Is also fitted up with view
to contributing to the comfort and enjoyment
Of the latter in way never pefore at'e'"p'e"
by similar corporation.
II has taken about three months to construct
the building the cost Of which has been $loo'ooo
The structure Is 325 feet long by 200 feet wide TWO
stories In height and built or brick. 1t Is heaten
with steam and lighted with electricity. The
plans for II drawn by NJ. G Starre'''
formerly chief engineer Of the Heights Company
and were completed by j. T. Whittelesey. VINO
occupies that place at present The superh-
fendsnt Of construction has been Engineer c. H.
Bergen.
DETAILS OF THE BUILDING.
An immense pit ROOM 90 by 100 feet, takes up
the greater portion OF the first floor Each pit
Is inclosed In a brick wall and is furnished with
a concrete floor. Piers are built up to carry
stringers for the tracks In the shoproom. which
is also this floor. are two additional pits the
general construction of which is the same "a the
others although additional tracks in the concrete
exist along which runs a motor hoist. which
takes the motor out of the way from under the
car when its absence is desired for repairs.
Back of the pitroom is situated an electric
transfer table. which runs clear across the
building and behind that md in line with the
centre OF the pitroom Is an electric elevator
The receivers office is nearby. while opposite
is a boiler room which furnishes power and heat
for the entire building
on the second floor is room nifty feet long by
twenty-five feet high. containing lockers SUM-
c,ent to accommodate all the men who will have
occasion 10 deposit their uniforms here Inc
place also has tables at which the men may par
take of their luncheons At the northeast cor
ner and just adjoining is the office Of the starter
II is inclosed with bay windows. and arrange
ments exist by which this official is enabled 10
start Greenpont cars for Hunters Point py
means of an electric bell Crosstown cars VIII
be started after similar fashion.
Between this room and the general offices Is
a toilet room furnished with marble basins por-
celain bathtubs and all the usual accessories
There is also a shower bath. wit needle spray
The reading room for the men Is on this moor
and runs along the Manhattan ave side iot
sixty feet 1t Is about half this distance III
width and is handsomely fitted up with chairs
and divans. All the current newspapers, nae
azines and other periodicals VIII De placed heIe'
Several ia bles have been arranged in this apart
ment for checker and domino playing
Just beyond the toilet-room is the genera ol-
hce for the foreman, depot-master ana cerhs'
| Perhaps the most interesting feature OF TINS
Noor however will be constituted by the con-
version into ar auditorium OF the reading. ROOM
| when occasion may require. At one end IL a
| commodous stage with dressing room behind
IL and or this It Is intended at various times 10
have lectures elocutionists musicians ana o'ne 7
| public entertainers appear for the oenent OF tne
rnen The latter will also be frequently ac-
|. dressed by the officials of the company on mat
! ters pertaining to their business duties III,
| The remainder Of the space on TINS moor wiz
| no ocruni4d by cars which have been PUT ihto
shape for active use. but which are being neil
until requistion is made for them IL -
thought that about 20 cars snCn'u Thnv can he
| kent here for an entire season. should ina, ne
| deemed necessary. No cars VIII De opera'eu o''
this Aoor.
OTHER STATIONS TO BE ABANDONED
| The erection OF the new station meana the con-
| so,idation of the Crosstown. Grecnpoint. Meek1r-
| ave- Naseau-avc.. Calvary Cemetery, ana the
Long Island City Annex. 1t also means the
| abandonment Of the Flushing Avenue lines sta
| ton in Flushing-ave.. near Nostrand-ave.. the
| Nceker Avenue lines station in Mcckerave. ana
| the Greenpoint. in Franklin-st
The general plan which has been carried out
| in the construction Of the new building wac
| nopceived by General Superintendent Ira n
| Mccormack in August last II instantly found
| a warm supporter In President Clinton |. Ros-
sitter All OF Its details were extensively AIS
| cussed before any definite step looking to ts
| construction was taken.
"To a certain extent" said Mr.. Mccormack;
10 A Tribune reporter yesterday the idea is an
| experiment We believe that the men Will prove
srfficiently apprecative Of the pains taken In
their behalf to fully repay the company for all
these. Smoking. Of course VIII be permitted IN
| the reading-room and no bar will be placed
upon any reasonable social diversion II the
| privileges which have been extended arc abused
the railroad officials will naturally feel compelled
| tn proyide counteracting restrictions. / do not
| expect, however. that any necessity for such
| action will arise.