New-York tribune., 1900-12-26
TO CHANGE RECORD HALL.
SUGGESTION THAT IT BE MADE
COURTHOUSE AND THE PRES
ENT COURTHOUSE PUT
o,rrrr-., r-src
TO OTHER USES.

& s..,wroo5 Nenten. one OF the Commissioners
Cor the new Hall of Records, at Charoers anu
Centre SITS. said last evening that he wouio opose
any plan 10 delay the completion OF the ouiuliie
for the uses for which it is intended The steel
framework of the structure Is now rising from the
foundations There have been long delays IN the
wcrk because the Municipal Assembly failed 10
authorize the bond issues for the oullone' put II
,s expected that the bond will be voted i'm
rnediately Even If there is no further cause Tor
delay in the work IL viii take eighteen months 10
complete the building which is planned 10 hold the
Registers office the Finance Department, the Tax
Department the Corporation Counsel's Office. the
County Clerks Office and the Surrogates Court
II has been suggested by Justice Scott, OF the
Supreme Court. that the plans OF the new build
ing might be changed TO permit the building
70 be occupied by the various parts OF the Supreme
Court the County Clerks Office the Surrogates
Court and the Sherff's Office. and have the present
County Courthouse changed 20 Hall OF Recoros
10 accommodate the Registers Office. the Finance
Department and the Corporation Counsefs office
Justice Scott, Justice Dugro and Justice Truax'
acting as e committee OF the Supreme Court have
been considering plans for making alterations TO
the County Courthouse. The Improvements are
expected TO cost more than sLoOo00o. even if the
present Courthouse is not enlarged. While the
changes are in progress the various parts OF the
Supreme Court will have TO be moved to some
building uptown. II has been suggested that the
city might save money by turning the Hall OF
Records into a new courthouse and turning the
Courthouse into g Hall OF Records.
while have suggested such pian." Justice
Scott said last evening 20 a Tribune reporter, I
have not advocated it. because 7 do not know If
it is feasible I would not be in favor Of delaying
the completion OF the Hall OF Records or putting
on provision for the safety Of the valuable records
in the Offices OF the Register, the Controller and
the Corporation Counsel Doubtless legislation
would be necessary for a change in the uses Of the
building for the Hall OF Records now planned
have made the suggestion, however, because
think II would be cheaper for the city have the
building at Chambers and Centre SITS. made into
q courthouse than 10 have the present Courthouse
Of the Supreme Court. With all its faults, the
present Courthouse is hreproof. and II could be
adapted TO the requirements OF the Registers Office
the Finance Department and the Corporation Coun-
sells Office with comparatively small expense.
The committee OF the Supreme Court has been
examining several plans. and one plan that is 10
ations and additions 20 the Courthouse. The in
terror courtrooms are TO be taken out and the
ventilation There two stories above the court
rooms, occupying the space OF one story. Changes
might be made so as to provide anotheT uer OF
tensive alterations would be expensive. and IL
might be necessary TO strengthen the foundations.
There has been a runor that an examination was
additional stories could be imposed upon the build
ing. and that the engineers reported that the
foundations were not strong enough TO carry the
weight OF additional stories 1 have not been able
10 find the record Of such an examination"
There has been some discussion of plan TO have
the city acquire the entire block Of which the
Stewart Building is a part extending east from
Broadway north OF Chambers-st-. as site Tor
new County Courthouse. Another plan proposed
Is 10 nave the city acquire site Immediately north
OF Rea6e-st-. al Eln-st. Advocates OF such plans
say that II County Courthouse could De
other buildings north and east OF the City Hail
could be removed from the City Hall Park