The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-31
In THE LORRAINE BLOCK
CITY CABINET LOOKS WITH FAVOR
TOWARD THIS BUILDING.
PropositiOn to Rent 1t for City Offices
Considered-PrObab that Ii Will
Be Secured.

The municipal authorities regard with
much favor proposition submitted at the
Mayors cabinet meeting yesterday after
noon to lease the Lorraine building to the
city for temporary quarters for city ofhces,
including the police headquarters. Police
Court, offices of the park commission ana
Council chamber. a five years lease VIII
probably be made, at monthly rental or
$3.50 for the first two years and 500 there-
after the lease to be renewed at the OPP
ton of the city at the same figure. The
proposition gives to the city the three upper
stories of the Lorraine block, containing
thirty-nine rooms, and an annex on the
south side which is amply large enough
to be converted into a police station and
Police Court. The report of the municipal
committee stated that it believed better
temporary quarters cannot be obtained, if
q determination to vacate the courthouse
basement is reached. The rooms are large,
Well lighted and the rent reasonable. The
report suggested that a conference be had
with the County Commissioners to learn
whether a new lease on the basement can
be made, and whether suitable improve
ments can be agreed on. If the offices are
still kept in the basement, the committee
recommends that plans for cutting down
the courthouse yard and removing the
able alterations on the interior of the build
ing If this idea is carried out the commit
tee thinks better light will be afforded and
the sanitary conditions improved. If it is
found too expensive to make these altera-
tons the committee suggested that broad
area-way might be constructed about the
walls, so that more light and air be
secured. The original committee, together
with additional members, consisting of Po
lice Judge Cox, City Clerk Stuckmeyer,
James CASTILLO, president, and Messrs.
Cooper and Golfer Of the Council, was in
structed to interview the County Commits
sioners and determine whether anything
the city asks will be granted. If agree
ment can be reached, the Mayor will call
another meeting to further consider the
proposition to rent the Lorraine building.
The city pays $1,000 year for the rooms
in the basement, $500 for offices for the park
commissioners, 5000 for the stable for the
police department, besides which repairs
the police station have to be kept up, as
well taxes and other expenses. There
would be some saving in moving to the Lo-
raine block on the first two years, although
for the remaining time of the five years
there would be some additional expense.
The owners of the Lorraine building propose
to furnish heat for the offices, but
the city will have to pay water
rents and gas bills besides sta
bile rent for the police department If
is said that a stable can be rented at con-
siderably less than is now being paid. 1t
is also believed that il alterations made
in the courthouse basement and grounds,
that the city will be required to pay the
expense, or at any rate pay higher rent
than is now required
If the offices are moved to the Lorraine
building the city will have to furnish its
own janitors and elevator men, but it is
said that the three JanitorS now employed
would be able to do the work there. Some
changes would have to be made in the in
terror arrangement of the building but this
the owner proposes to do in accordance
with any plans that may be submitted by
the city officials. At present the city has
to rent vaults of safety deposit companies
for all books and valuable papers At the
vaults, one on the second and the other
the third floor. which are ample for all
venient than the present arrangement. If
no ARRANGEMENTS can be made with the
County Commissioners the city will doubt
less accept the proposition to rent the Lo-
raine building.
A proposition was also made to the COM
mittee to lease the Maennerchor Hall build
ing by Edward Schurman, but as the price
asked is too high it was not regarded with
favor.
Controller Johnson reported that after
next Monday the second installment of
taxes will be available. He said that the
time, but that the second tax installment
has not been anticipated. SO that every
tiliiS is III very GOOD shape. reports We're
also made by the Board of Public Works
and the Board of Public Safety covering
routine work for the month. The former
reported that all street improvements with
the exception of a small portion of North
Illinois street, have been completed. and
that everything would be finished and out
of the way by freezing weather unless bad
weather intervenes
Dr.. Frank A. Morrison president of the
Board of Health, had a hurried CONVERSE
ton, reporting that the health department.
had nothing of interest to report. Mayor
Iaggart afterward announced that the
Board of Health would be ready to make
a report of changes at the CITY HosnitaI
at the next meeting of the cabinet