The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-29
A NEW Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
ALL NEEDED is FOR a PHILAN-
THROPIsT TO GIVE THE SITE.
Plan for Apartments for Young Men
present Building Is Now
on the Market.

The directors of the Y NJ. C. A. hope that
within the next two years Indianapolis will
have one of the finest association buildings
in the country 1t is the purpose to sell the
present building and purchase real estate
elsewhere for the erection of a seven or
eight-story building, constructed on modern
ideas of usefulness and attractiveness. The
entire debt on the present building has been
paid off, and the property is now on the
market. If it can be sold and a new site
procured the belief prevails that there will
be but little difficulty in raising funds for
the erection of new building. Quite a
number of men of means have expressed
intentions of making handsome donations
when the idea has been more fully de-
veloped. If some men of means were moved
to give the association a suitable site it is
said there would be enough money realized
from the sale of the present property and
donations 20 begin the work within ninety
days. Recently number of donations have
been made to the useful institutions of the
city, including the Boys Club, Young Wom-
ems Christian Association, etc, and those
who are interested in the Y. M. c. A. hope
for similar gift. About $125,O0O would be
required for building purposes, and perhaps
$4,000 for a suitable lot. The present prop
erty is worth about that.
L. A Hildreth, secretary of the Indian
apolis association, has hoped and planned
for a new building for the last two years,
but nothing definite in that direction was
undertaken owing to the business de-
preston.
Il hope. to see building of seven or
eight stories built" said Mr.. Hildreth last
night, thoroughly equipped not only for
an association, but with desirable club
features. 1t appears to me that there is
room in indianapolis for such an institution
as we have in mind. The lower floors of
such building would, of course, be devoted
to the ordinary association work. On the
upper stories apartments for young men
with restaurant on the top floor conducted
on the European plan. Such accommoda-
tons could be furnished for from Sc to $50
a month, the latter price for a suite of
two rooms, a bedchamber and sitting room.
There would be bathroom for each five or
SIX rooms. OF course there would be good
elevator service, with call boys, etc. The
idea would be to make it as comfortable and
desirable the high-priced hotels of the
city. Young men who lived in the building
would find all conveniences at hand, in
Guiding the gymnasium, baths and associa-
ton privileges. There would be a public
parlor where tenants might receive their
friends. Beside furnishing an attractive
home for two or three hundred men, plan
of this sort would prove living endowment
for the association.
Yes, two or three have been mentioned.
Personally l would like to see the new
building on Pennsylvania street, as the
growth of fine buildings is in that direction.
One site suggested is between Ohio and
New York streets, just north of the school
house Oh Meridian street. Pennsylvania
street strikes me as being more desirable,
as Monument Place rather cuts off Merid-
ian street. Things are not that far along,
however"
Another thing we are hoping for when
we get into new building" said mr.. Hill
dreth, lis to keep open all night. 1 be-
lieve that an institution of this kind should
be accessible at all hours We hope to
make the surroundings of the new building
much more attractive than they can be in
our present location. With our limited
facilities we have been able to accomplish
much good, but with better facilities the
work would be much extended and the
membership greatly increased"
Recently substantial subscriptions have
been made to the Young Women's Christian
Association. The last amounted to 5000
and assures a permanent home for the as
ISOLATION Plans have been prepared for re-
modelling the present building, but they may
not be followed, as two or three other sites
are being considered one a commOdious
building next the Marion Clubs new home.
The donor of the 5000 subscription prefers
to be unknown for the present.
The BrightwOOd Y. NJ. c. A.
The BrightWood Y. NJ. G. A. was the