The San Francisco call., 1896-01-22
The New City Hall Dome Is
Now in Fair Way to
Be Completed.
RESULT OF MR.. sHEA's WORK.
Marble and Ornamental Glass to Cut
an Important Figure in the
Calculations.

Architect Frank Shea of the City Hall
has completed his general plans for the
interior of the dome and the result of his
iabors was presented to the City Hall Com
missioners at their meeting yesterday.
Mr.. Shea explained that his object had
been to make the rotunda an inviting
main entrance to the hall and that in pur-
suance of this plan he had chosen materials
for the finishing and EN- bellishment of
this portion of the tower that are noted
for their durability and beauty. He stated
that the finishing of the rotunda includes
the placing of the floors in all the galleries,
the setting of the first-story pavement, the
finishing and ornamentation of all the
colonnades, cornices and ratings and the
covering of the entire wal! surfaces and
the inclosing of the rotunda with an in
terror dome of glass, rising from the tops
OF the interior columns now III place.
One of the main features, he said, would
be the great staircase that would afford
acce SIS to all p. rtions of the building from
the most central point. The circular bal
ustrades, cornices and staircase ratings
are to be of wrought and cast iron and the
pavement and wainscoting to height of
fifteen feet are to be of marble.
The frame for the interior dome will be
light steel structure and the glass used
Will be of the ornamental kind. Mr..
Shea's report concludes as follows:
would respectfully recommend as
the only proper course that the general
scheme of decoration for the rotunda as
outlined be approved, to the end that the
greater height than any similar structure
IN the country, may present when COM
plete such an appearance as to appeal to
the best taste and win the approval of the
people"
Mayor Sutro seemed afraid that there
was not enough money, in the funds set
aside for the hall to finish the dome on the
plans outlined by Mr.. Shea. On being in
formed that there was abundant money
available to do the work he expressed him
self as much pleased with the plans with
the exception of one or two minor details.
He believed that while Architect Shea S
design for the Mosaic floor was very pretty
the Mosaic workers should be allowed to
present their own designs. He also feared
that the marble wainscoting would be too
expensive.
Attorney Creswell overcame this objec-
tion by stating that he understood that
several marble dealers were willing to fur
nish the material at the cost of dress
ing it.
Auditor Broderick was opposed to the
plans on the ground that they were too
elaborate and not in keeping with the or
namentation of the remainder of the build
ing.
By making the dome so costly and ar
tistic, he said, "the contrast with the re-
mainder of the building will be too great
II will remind US of man with plug hat
and ragged clothes"
After some discussion and some minor
changes, the plans were ordered placed on
file, and Architect Shea was instructed to
receive plans and specifications for the
completion of the work.
AS the contractors for the exterior of the
dome have been notified that no further
extension OF time will be granted them,
the entire structure is in fair way to be
com pleted in the near future.