The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-03
A NEW CITY HALL
SUCH A BUILDING is BEING TALK
ED OF.
MAYOR WILL MENTION 1T.
WHEN ANNUAL REPORT TO COUN-
GIL Is SUBMITTED.

Plan Is to Change the Location and
Erect a Handsome Structure-Sa-
vann9h Has OutgrOwn the City
Exchange and New Building
should Be Secured, an Alderman
Says-Some Syndicate Would Be
Glad to Purchase the Property
and Erect an ONCE Building Of
Location of the City Exchange Is
Not Thought the Best Possible for
Such "a Building.
There is considerable talk of new
City Hall and Mayor Myers will prob
ably have something to say on the
subject in his annual report to the City
Council. The subject has been dis
cussed at the City Exchange, and there
are some who would like to see the
new building go up at once.
The Mayor did not care to go into
a discussion of the subject when ques-
toned yesterday by a representative
of the Morning News, and stated that
what he has to say will be embodied
in his report to Council. 1t was not
intended that the matter should be
made public just at this time, although
it is being seriously considered, and
an appropriation for a new City Hall
during the coming year would not be
surprising.
Both Mayor Myers and members of
Council realize that the present build
ing does not correspond with the size
and standing of the city, and the feas-
Utility of new structure at this time
is being discussed. 1t has been agreed
that the new City Hall should be
handsome edifice, and a member of
Council stated yesterday that a build
ing suitable for municipal headquar-
ters would cost in the neighborhood of
5000, 900.
The property on Abercorn and York
streets, owned by the United States
government, and originally purchased
as a site for the postoffice, has been
mentioned as a. favorable location. The
southern part of Colonial Park. has
also been mentioned in connection with
the plan for a new City Hall. This
tract is owned by the city, and was
formerly the pound. When the old
cemetery was transformed into Colo
NAL Park, the pound was done away
with, and became a part of the park.
The use of this tract would mean that
the city would not have to go to the
expense of buying lots for the building.
The construction of the building at
the present site on Bull and Bay streets
has not been considered. Some place
would have to be used by the munich
pal officers during the construction of
the new building, and it is argued that
it would not be we'll to move into tenn
porary quarters. Neither is the pres
ent location considered an ideal spot
for a city hall, although it would be
valuable for other purposes. The EX-
change now in use is considered too
far from the other public buildings, and
it is contended that the move should
be made in the direction of police
headquarters.
A member of Council, in discussing
the subject, said that he believes the
city would have no difficulty in selling
the Exchange now in use for sub
stantial price The site upon which
the building stands is valuable, and in
the opinion of the alderman would
make an ideal spot for an office build
ing. The alderman believes that if the
property is offered for sale some syn
dictate will promptly purchase it and
erect a handsome Office building OF
about twelve stories.
Such a structure would make the
| building on the River street side t1f-
teen stories high. The highest public
building in Savannah now is the De
Soto Hotel, which is only seven stories.
The aldermen believes that Savannah
is badly in need of an Office building,
and knows of no better location for
one. 1t is altogether probable that the
new City Hall will be discussed tully
by Mayor Myers, and that some notice
of it will be taken by Council.