Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-01
CONVENTION HALL.
The Largest Public building Ever
Erected by Popular Subscriptions
The Forum,

Inc SpleTtilC Tdl!Tpil IdCIllJlss ana the
central location in the United States make
Kansas City a very desirable place for
gatherings Of national Importance. such as
national conventions. To meet this need
there has been built here during the past
year and will be formally opened at an
early date a monster Convention hall. with
4 seating capacity eQua!!ng any building
in the country. 1t will bear the proud dis
tinction OF being the only building ever
erected for public purposes that Will DE
opened absolutely free of debt. 1t Will have
hot a cent claim against it. nor a bond
issued when 1t is formally opened. nor Will
II ever have 4 mortgage or 4 bond issue.
IT was built with Kansas City money, by
Kansas City people. from Kansas City
planS, and makes il possible for Kansas
CITY 10 now entertain gatherings where a
seating capacity Of 1000 is required. Il
makes the city a convention city, and here
after when national gatherings are being
arranged Tor Kansas City claims Will lie
strongly presented.
The building is located at Thirteenth and
StutfaI streets. is convenient to all street
runway lines and hotels. and is being com-
Pisteo as rapidly as possible. 1t will cost
%hen completed over 100000 and. being
uuHl from voluntary subscriptions. can be
taken as the correct index of the public
spifit IN the city. 1t is the proudest act
" .ie CITY IN recent years and i building
VI WHich every citizen is July proud.
The OUTSIDE dimensions of the hall are
i - Ieet and about twenty feet are taken
os from each OF these by the thick but
dressed walls. AT the north end about forty
ISet more are taken off for the heating
p!ane and Janitor and toilet rooms. The re-
Maihuer OF the floor space is divided into
W parts' the arena and the wide area
extending around the arena under th. ball
Sony. Al the south end. either side of the
Eaih entrance. this space will be the lobby.
ror the use Of the remainder various sug-
seStons have been made, among them that
OF eNcaVatirS and using one side as stables
~ CStnecsion with the popular Horse show
pLO Viii tho tho l. e.
tary regiment. ~
VIII the exception of the roof garden all
OF the i9S,l00 square feet of floor space Of
me puIidinS Is SO arrange that every foot
IS available for an audience to a single per
probabIye vii Inc :, hall San, however; and
OF some sort by means of which a space
hai,ao.e ior an ordinary sized audience can
extends entirely around the building on a
ievel with the first gallery floor. Is separat-
~ rom me interior by the glass side lights
out Su.ncientiy connected by glass doors as
or the hall. Inside the hall are different
Arena t do I,0oE Tai areas as are ! Est sS follows: ~.
ground and sufficiently strong to bear uo
a menagerie if need be, the flooring proper
DeinS OF l15N3 inch nard pine screwed down.
seSilnS ca pacity of 500. Balcony floor.
Which beginning at a height of ten feet
apoEe the edge OF the arena slopes upward
70 'ne walls four feet above the level of
the front; seating capacity about half that
OF the arena First gallery with a level
hooring seating $50 people, but connected
will seat $500 more. Second gallery. with a
moor also level and directly above the first
ana ABOUT the same size. All these floors
are connected by inclines sloping gradually
ana much easier of ascent and descent than
stair"ayS- Each. floor is amply provided
with coax and toilet rooms and can be used
sepsrsteiy for parties or entertainments IT
euditlon 10 the seating space already men
TONED there will be when completed TWO
rows OF boxes surrounding the arena. The
lower OF these rows, elevated a few inches
ABOVE the arena floor. is designed for the
usa or those. who on such occasions as
allow close inspection. The upper boxes,
alternating with these and about on a
floor are designed for that part of the horse
show contingent whose mission is TO be
seen as We'll as to see. Both tiers of boxes
will have separate entrances from the rear.