The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-02
OUR NEW HALL.
The Governor Has Signed the
City Hall Bill.
All Is Now Ready For a Vote of
the People
ON ISSUING BONDS
To the Extent of $4,000 and
to Sell
I ISSUING BONDS
The Present City Hall For Ap-
proximateIy $4,000.

The Topeka city hall bill has been
signed by Governor Stanley and will be-
come a law as soon as published in the
official state paper. In consequence, the
new combined city hall and auditorium
is practically in sight
City Attorney Bird will go before the
city council at the regular meeting next
Monday night with an ordinance pre-
pared providing for submitting the pro-
position of voting bonds for the new
city building at the regular city cleo
tion in April. He will be accompanied
by several of the most influential mem
bers of the Commercial club, who will
impress on the members of the coun-
Gil, if occasion arises for so doing, that
the bond proposition should be submit
ted at the coming election. However, no
material opposition to the ordinance is
expected from any of the members of
the council
With the ordinance passed by the
council, the people of Topeka will vote
on the proposition of issuing bonds at
the city election. It is likely that the
bond issue will be limited in the ordi-
nance to $4,000 as Mr.. Bird is confident
that this will be sufficient with the
money derived from the sale of the
present city building, as provided for in
the bill. He says the present building
should bring at least $4,000.
That the people of Topeka will favor
the issuance of the bonds, by a large
majority, is certain. Everyone in the
city realizes that Topeka is in need
of a hall suitable for convention pur-
poses, and also realizes that such a
building will result in great benefit to
the town. There is not reason, provid-
ed purchaser for the present city
building turns up, why the council can
1nf lot fav nit
hall by the first or middle of May !, It
is understood that there are several
prospective purchasers for the building
at the corner of Seventh and Kansas
avenue, and an over of $4,000 has al
ready been made. Competition for the
property would easily force the price
to $4,000. the figure Mr.. Bird places up
on it. or more. ---.----...- .-.-s
If there is any opposition at all in the
council to the project of disposing of the
present building it will be on the ground
that the property is a revenue getter
for the city. Such a. stand would be ex-
rived annually from the auditorium of
the new city hall would amount to
much more than that derived from the
present building.
The location of the new city building is
a question to be determined The prop
the project consists of the Southeast cor
ner of Eighth and Jackson streets, the
streets. the southeast corner of Seventh
and Quincy streets and the northeast cor
ner of Seventh and Jackson streets. There
will be other sites offered. The property
at the southeast corner of Eighth and
Jackson streets is probably looked upon
with much more favor than any of the
other pieces, with the property at the
northwest corner of Eighth and Quincy
streets a close second.
The location of the fire department head
quarters is another question that will have
to be settled. The general sentiment is
entirely against maintaining the depart
ment in the new building, and CITY At
torney Bird proposes that a separate
building be erected in the rear of the city
prison; He says that suitable building
could be built at greater cost than to
model the new building in such a way as
to take care of the department. With
the headquarters in the rear of the city
prison the fire and police departments
could combine, with satisfactory results.
No plans have as yet been made for the
proposed new building, but a seating ca
pacity of 1900 will probably be called for.
The building will also probably be entire
ly of pressed brick, without extensive or
namentiOn, the interior construction
ton will be the important portion. The
auditorium will be on the ground floor.
and the arrangement of exits will be such
as to do away with all possibility of dam
ger in case of fire.
In order to have the proposition of vot-
ing the necessary bonds carry as unani-
mously as possible, the members of the
Commercial club expect to do considerable
work among the voters of the city prior to
the election. This work will be Started as
soon the ordinance is passed by the