Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-08

PLAN FOR THE MAN
tion. other improvements, whlch seem
"a more necessary, have always Desn
given precedence. and this one has hau
10 walt. II may have TO be oelerIeu
awhile longer yet. 80
Some time ago the ouesuoh OF
modelling the old house and adding an
other storv to the rear portion Of it was
brought up. and the Committee on Fup-
lie Lands and Buildings secured an esti-
mate OF the cost of the proposed improve
nents. and had plans made therefor
subsequently. the Finance COMMITTEE
was consulted, and that body while ap~
preciating the great desirability or having
better equipped municipal quarters, couig
not see its way clear TO recommend
the expenditure OF $500, and suggested
instead that only 500 be set apart TOT
the purpose, and that this sum DO spent
IN rearranglng and fitting up the rooms
on the second floor so as to make them
all available for public use. The Coun-
Gil. il Is expected, viii decide at the APP
preaching meeting what shall be done.
THE PLANS IN DETAIL.
In the plans submitted by Architect
Walter r. Higham for remodelling
and improving the old structure,
1t is proposed TO pull down the
present two-storied portion of the
building. now occupied by the Trea-
surer. Auditor, City Collection, and Com
missioner OF the Revenue, and 10 rebuild
on the same lines. with the exception that
the new building Will extend ten feet
further in the rear than the present. and
will be three stories high, corresponding
with the front portion of the bull ling.
The front portion Of the building will re-
main as 1t IS, and the rear portion will
be made 10 conform with the front. The
entire building. when completed, will he
divided up so as TO accommodate all city
officials thus obviating the necessity of
paying outside rent. In the front portion
OF the first floor viii be located the Fire
Department. as at present In q rear
portion of the same floor will be situated
the Police Court. police-station, with cells
and necessary fixtures. The front and
rear portions OF the building Will be sepa-
rated by the main stairway, which will
be entered from Tenth street. on the Sc
cond floor will be situated the Offices Of the
Commonwealth Attorney. High Consta-
BILE, and the Superintendent Of the Water
Works will be accommodated in the front
room. which is over the Fire Department.
The Commissioner of Revenue. City Col
iector, and Treasurer will have offices in
the rear part OF the second floor. On the
third floor will BE located the Council
chamber, in the front portion, and in the
rear will be found offices for the City ~
torney, City Engineer, and Mayor. Ad-
joining the Council chamber will be sew
eral committee rooms. This feature it is
thought will prove a great addition. On
each OF the three floors will be found a
lavatory and all other modern con-
veniences. The heating apparatus is 20 be
arranged in the cellar below. The halls
and corridors are so arranged as to afford
ready access from each office in the build
Ing.
WILL BE STRONG.
The architect has made ample provision
in the specifications for the increased
weight on the second floor occasioned by
the presence OF the Treasures safe, and
the first floor over the cellar will be
freproof. With the exception Of the con-
crete floor IN the prisoners cells, and the
aboye-noted exceptions. the construction
pf the walls, floors and roof of the new
portion OF the building viii be OF ordinary
materials, and will, In every respect. cor
respond with the old part OF the building.
The exterior face of the entire building
"a 10 be succeed with cement plaster, and
lined TO represent stone work. The pres
ent wood cornice to the portion OF the
building that remains is TO be entirely re-
moved. and a new galvanized iron cornice
8 10 be placed around the entire building.
ne timing on the old portion Of the roof
ul be trimmed so as 10 correspond with
NAT OF the new. Besides this. grano-
ntlic pavement will be laid on the moor
Of tee Fire Department room, ana the
~ Of the entire first floor viii be
=, rqeotted four feet high. The entire
t,ine Is 10 be piped for gas and wired
Electricity. The building will be heat
bv means OF low-pressure steam ap-
atus. which will be located in the eel
Ia below. with direct and indirect ra9ia-
,orq In ali the rooms and halls. The esti-
mated cost OF the entire building Is So'VlV
HISTORY OF THE OLD BUILDING
The history Of the present building Is
An interesting one, the structure having
served as landmark for nearly hah
century. The front, or three-storled por-
ton OF the building, was erected IN lso''
these figures being barely dlscernibie
from the ground on part OF the drain
gutter In front OF the building. me
rear, or two-storled portion Of the pre-
sent building, though much oider-iook-
ing. was built IN 1874. In the erection OF
the buildin, In 1853 N WAS The intention
OF the town 10 have only two-storlea
structure. Inducements made by the
Henderson Lodge vf ODD Fellows. how
ever. caused The town authorities to
make the building three stories, the
third story being used for many years
by the Henderson Lodge and afterwards
by other lodges. The bottom floor OF this
building has, with few exceptions. re-
mained as Il Was In 1853. or when first
built. and occapief by the old Hope Fire
Company. TIE Hope Ere Company was
succeeded by the Alert Fire Company
whose mama vet aianda over 4hQ front
entrsnce. The Aierts WERE however IN
turn. succeeded. now nearly twenty years
sso- by she Manchester Fire Company,