New-York tribune., 1897-12-12
REVAMPING THE CITY HILL.
THE CONTRACTOR WORKING NIGHT
AND DAY TO FINISH THE JOB
BY JANUARY 1

The work which has oeen going in the City
Hall for several weeks has now advanced SO far
that good idea can be formed OF what the final
result will be. Both the contractor Mr.. Brady. and
John c. Graham, the superintendent OF repairs and
supplies in the Public Works Depar tment. are
ndent that the renovation will be completed by
January l. possibly day or two earlier To
accomplish this is requiring a good deal OF hustling
on the part of the contractor and his employees;
work has been carried night and day. and Con-
tractor Brady and his foreman have made prac-
tice of sleeping at hotels within easy reach OF the
City Hall. to be readily called in 1t
necessary to give decision any question arising
while the night shift duty.
II one goes into the hall any day and makes his
way upstairs, he will be impressed by the activity
going on wherever the men are az work. The aver
age city employe would have his breath taken away
at seeing the energy Of these workmen In handling
saws. driving nails and doing the thousand and
other things that are necessary In Job Of this
kind. The work has been under way since October
lS. and only those familiar with the former City
Hall. both above and below stairs fully appre-
ciate what has bene done.
come most prominently before the public is on the
second floor where the changes have been on an
been touched up Is the Aiderrnon's chamber, which
u%nder under me new new regime VIII serve az the meeting
change has been made here and none will be neces-
sary but In the overhaullng Of the building electric
elsewhere The Governors room. with Its treas
practically untouched.
The rooms lately used by the City Court have all
been done over, the most important change having
Of the Board Of Aldermen Of the greater city is
being provided. The two courtrooms here have been
roof have been provided. old doorways have been
closed up and doors cut IN new places and the re-
enough to accommodate both branches OF the Mu-
It not a Is yehsrs tor s
TOO many scaffoldngs and too much dust and racket
for that-but 1t will be In the course OF week o.
sh9y what rich eject viii b produced By the
ceiling. showing the coat Of of tie city In the
corners. Is to be handsomely decorated.
intended for that part Of the community which
desires to to hsten list 70 the wit eloaSenee and inter
entrance to the gallery s from outside o, the
crs OF the plan for alterations in the budding that
the people shall NOT be permitted to mlngle with
ii, the discharge Of their duties The gallery occu-
pies the upper part Of the rear OF the chamber and
iron railing topped with a bronze rod viii prcven:
the eager auditors from Irecipitating themselves
up Sy the excemsn, ssIs Of the AaeTmanc debate
the beams it was decided to make change. and a
traton Of the rapidty with which the work in the
City Hall has been carried on is furnished in the
The room IN the southeast corner Of the building
Aldermen as a members room or committees
and the room In the southwest corner has in
like manner been fitted up for the use OF the men,
bers OF the Council.
rcmade ard the building has been Completely
wired for electric lighting. The Mayors Office has
not been altered but number Of changes of minor
Importance have been made on the first story. In
the basement the alterations have been on a lib-
eral scale. OF Old this part of the Hall was so
damp and moudy that It was out Of the question
10 use II as a storage place. Now floors have
been laid the walls have been plastered with ce-
ment and aS as dry as a bone. and large num-
ber of storage-rooms have been provided. In one
part Of the basement a series of three connected
vaults with the walls laid IN fire brick and abso-
lutely lreproof, have been constructed These will
be accessible only by means of winding iron
staircase leading down from the first story.
In exploring the basement Contractor Brady
made an important discovery by opening large
This was clear waste before, but win hereafter be
an important addition to the slowing space In the
lower part OF she building. The amount OF the
room In the basement II surprisingly large, TO
those who have felt that they were well acquainted
with the building In It's former estate.