The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-29
THE GREAT NEW
UNION DEPOT
Plans for the Work Now Soon to Be
Commenced,
THE BUILDING DESCRIBED,
when Finished 10 viii BE One of the
Haudsomest structures OF Its
Kind in the South-The
Ground Plan.


one of tic greatest Improvements made
in Richmond 'in recent years viii Doe the
ucw union station of The Chesapeake and
ohio and -1e s.aboard Air Line railways.
Not only VIII the structure when com
pleted be one of beauty and modern n
every appointment. but during IFS cree
ton Richmond VIII Dee greatly benefited.
Tlo depot Will Dee one oi the handsomest
u the country. but 10 viii require no
little expenditure of money 10 make it so.
Money Will thus De put into circulation
m this city chat otherwise would not have
been. and. aside from This labor Will be
iu demand.
THE CONTRACTS.
Though the contracts nave not as yet
been .et. they VIII be in a comparatively
short tme The bids win be asked in
all probability. in open market. and COM
petition from foreign firms is expected.
DO is expected that the work on foun-
dau0ns viii begin as soon as possible after
the contract has been let, and this VIII
require much labor. The work on the
station itself. 10 is hardly likely viii be
started before next sprng but once be-
gun it VIII De rushed 20 completion. The
building viii be ready Tor use, it is
thought, boy the early part OF 1901
skilled labor will Doe .n demand du' ing
the erection OF this elegant building. and
will give an impetus TO all trades direct
THE STATION.
Tho station is TO built from the plans
of Wilson Brothers q Co., architects. of
PHILADELPHIA in arranging the plan OF
tho governing or track noor the architects
have followed the general outline OF the
Milan of the well known Philadelphia and
Reading Terminal Station at Philadelphia,
of which they were the architects.
The general waiting room is placed cen
fr.d and is nankod on the one side by the
Indies room. entrance stairs, elevator, etc.
and ON the other side by the dinins-room.
exit stairs and service stairs 20 the upper
floors This Arrangement gives an open
and enacious effect with plenty or clear
room for handling crowds and also AFFORDS
perfect light and ventilation THIS ar
rareemcot OF the main entrance and exit
stairs is such that either Is equally avail
able for either purpose and they are To-
Gated so as 20 be readily accessible from
all parts. These stairs have been very
carefully studied. as they are considered
by the officers OF the railroads as among
the vital points of the design.
STAIRS AND ELEVATORS.
4 general service stairs and elevator
have also been provided from the ground
floor 10 the fourth floor These are intend
ed for the use of the occupants of the
third and fourth floors and also for exit
and entrance from the carriage con-
course
Tho main passenger elevator from the
ground 90 the track floor has been made
very large and roomy and IS located adj
iacent 90 the mann entrance stairs and
both the elevator and the entrance stai~s
ar on a direct line So that "a passenger
having purchased a ticket will not have
10 retrace 8teus aeaiust the movement Of
"a crowd in taking The train.
The ladies' room has been made especial
~ convenient and comfortable and is
,ocsfod on the track floor away from the
passing crowds
the mems toilet and smoking rooms have
also been placed on the track door ana In
a. out-of-the-way corner. but az tho same
time are readily accessible.
The dining-room and restaurant IS
given a large spacious room at one side
81 the general waiting room and viii be
maintained I'm 'irst-class style by the rail-
road management
n will be noticed that the interior Of the
eecond story has been arranged with
oolonnades and large openings This gives
= beautiful vista into the upper parts OF
the dinins--oom ard ladles' room and ef-
feots continuity OF architectural dignity
from, one end Of the building 10 the other,
and Giyes a very spacious appearance.
THE GROUND FLOOR.
The ground floor waiting room IL CEN
fraIly located and IN this the ticket omess