New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-01
REPAIRING THE CITY HALL.
BIDS FOR THE CUPOLA OPENED BY COM
MISSIONER WILLIS.
TERRA GOTTA PREFERRED TO IRON BY SOME
EXTENSIVE CHANGES IN THE UPPER PART
OF THE BUILDrNG-A COPPER ROOF


OF THE BUILDrNG-A COPPER ROOF
WITH FIFTEEN sKYLIGHTs
Bids were opened yesterday by City WorEs com
missioner Willis for the construction OF cupoia OH
the City Hall. This marks another step IN the re-
pairs on that building made necessary by the nre
which burned out the upper part on FEBRUARY 20
1896 1t has taken a long time to make the repairs
but first 1t took a long time to determine what re-
pairs should be made II was finally decided to
reconstruct the entire upper part OF the oui'dihs.
At the start 1t was thought that the best nnisn
for the top would be low dome, ana an attempt
was made to combine with such dome the CLOCK
which many people deemed a necessary convenience
1t was soon seen that clock and dome were IN
congruous and commission OF experts oe'er'n
that the best thing was TO erect cupo'd si'a. =,
the destroyed. 1t is for such cupola ,na' o'as
were recently invited by Commissioner "hHs'
Four bids were received yesterday Tor an "o"
structure but the contract will not be awarded Tor
several days. The lowest bid was put IN oy Coiseh
& Eager for s34 900: the highest, $39"o was thas %
John Cooper & Son, or New-fork Inc FORMER ~ III
belongs in Brooklyn Commissioner Wiiiis IS Vi
the opinion that the bids in the interest Vi the
city, but before he takes action in awardihs the
contract he intends to consul; Mayor Wurs'er ""o'
naturally has a deep interest in the improvement
Of the City Hall.
Some time ago cupola OF terra Gotta was con-
templated but that idea has been aoandoheo III
FAVOR or an iron ana steer "''~'
less expensive In the opinion Of competent Judges
AN iron cupoia will be an inappropriate feature OH
a building like the City Hall. and cupola more III
keeping with the general character OF the edi'ce
should be provided. .
Assuming that the contract Tor the cupo'a 10
awarded to the lowest bidder the entire COST OF .he
repairs on the Hall will amount TO about si-o''"'
vaarlv ,he whole building above the first story has
been rebuilt The Common Council Chamber mas
not been materially altered save that IL mas pee"
provided with an entirely new ceiling. Inc heish'
of this apartment has not been changed Inc ne"
ceiling Is not yet finished: 1t Is OF steer anu uoe
shaped like the former one
The most extensive changes have been ihaue vi
the upper floor of tine building. formerly little
better than an attic. which was occupied as .he
living apartments OF the janltor. The Janitor mas
been ousted bag and baggage. and this part Oh
the hall is being turned into offices Inc Prop nsH
OF lighting them was serious one d5 III" on he
windows low and insuficient Whiie on ' h
were mere panels. The panels have been removed
and windows put in their PLACES put '"e ''a'
No less than fifteen skylights have been provided
some OF them very large. All are constructed IN
he best Sy IKE nnS afe q light Which they furnish
is surprisingly large, and all the offices VIII De a.
c @e 10 have them on the second floor
Corporation Counsel are being fitted up asn
make use of portion of the upper story; IN me rhe
4s Moor 9orh the sde sw of hs third story is
ranged for the use of the Department OF Buildings
Not only has the upper part of the CITY Hall peel
made fireproof but the building has been PROVIDED
| with an entirely roof OF heavy copper IL Is
| hoped in time to surround the roof with balus-
| trade so as to shut the unsightly chimneys
skylights etc. but definite plans for this nave
| vel been made. An Improvement OF much impor-
lance in the building reconstructed VIII be the
commodious eeva tor. which will run from the base
| ment 10 the third story. .
| of Y G. Griffith and c. w. & a. A. Stoughton
| architects Of New-York City Their calculations
| were so closely made that. respects the iron
work It has not been necessary TO spend a dollar
for extras and In connection with the rest OF the
work the extras will not mount to more than s23)0
| This Is considered a rem, fably good record II
Ia expected that the work u be completed WITHIN
The next six weeks-that the work being done
under the present contrat'. which has nothing TO
do with the contemplated cupola.