The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-15
The Grimwa0d Plan Provides an Ample Site
Fora Fedora Building.
BURNSIDE MONUMENT MUST Be MOVED
This, Mr. Gdmxood Holds, Would Tend 10 ADD 10
The Symmetry Of The Squns-what win
Board Of Aldermen 0op

A great deal is being said today In and
around City Hall in relation to the lay
out of Exchange place, and the CLAIM,
is made, with some degree of truth,
that the plan adopted by the Common
Council on Monday evening last, does
not make any provision, or rather any
proper provision for a postoffice site
on Exchange place. 1t is no secret that
the city offered the United States gov
ernment site for the proposed new
postofiice building. but IL is very evil
dent that IL Monday nights plan should
be definitely adopted the proposed
building will not be erected on Ex-
change place.
The United States authorities de-
mand that all Federal buildings, par
ticularly those used for postoffices, shalt
have streets on four sides. and this
would be impossible under the plan ad'
opted by the Common Council. III 40
smaller building than Providence peo'
pie would wish TO see was erected on
the space that would be left available
il is possible that narrow gangways
might be left around the building, but
il is hardly probable that the govern
ment would agree TO such condition
of things, even il the Providence pub
lie should be satisfied with such
cramped space.
Every plan proposed, except the one
adopted by the Common Council, pro
Vided ample space for postoifice site,
and the plan prepared by Councilman
Grimwood OF the Eighth ward IL the
most clear in this respect. Mr.. GRIM
wood has had n very large blue prime
of his plan prepared. and every detali
is shown i'm a manner which makes lt
understood in a few minutes. This plan
provides a site for postofiice build.
ing. which fronts on the extension or
Exchange street across the square and
leaves room for streets of over so feet
i'm width on the north end south sides
In the rear of the building there would
also be a fairly wide street. runninE
along the river. amply wide enough to
permit of the passage of electric cars.
OF course, the giving of this site Ia
the United States government for a
postoffice would necessitate the moving
of the burnside monument, but this
could be done without difficulty, ana
indeed IL would rather add TO the sym
metry of the square after the layoul
is completed Mr. Grimwood proposes
to leave the entire square open, dis
tance OF about 220 feet from the south
erlN Siue OF tXcndllBt pidtt W tire llb"
of the park area, but he believes tha'
there should be fairly wide street ou
each side of the square, which should
be asphalted. while the intervening
open space should be paved. This, 1t
adopted. would not interfere with
Washington street. as at present laid
out.
There the matter stands for the pres
ent. and until after the Board of Aid
ermen meeting on Thursday next, ~
will be impossible TO say just what VIII
be done, although there is no doubt
that the postoffice question Will be con-
sidered very fully There is every
reason TO anticipate that the Provi-
dence building bill. which was intro
duced by Senator Aldrich. put through
the United States Senate at the last
session. but which was defeated by nj
clustering methods in the House, wiz
come up again and pass at the next
session or C0nPTFEg. fnCTe CUTT DC 10
question that the people OF Providence
want a new postoflice. and very large
majority would like TO see it on the
Exchange place site.
IL the board does not concur with the
Common Council. and IL now looks az
N Il would not. the whole matter win
be opened up again, and Councilman
Grimwood's plan, in more detailed
form. will again be introduced. and IL
is not improbable that there may also
be some others.