New-York tribune., 1902-07-18
HALL OF RECORDS.
VOTE THAT 1T AND CITY COURT AND
ENGINE HOUSE MUST GO.
PART OF PLAN TO ERECT BIG MUNICIPAL
BUILDING. IMPROVE PARK AND
ENLARGE STREETS.


The Sinking Fund Commission and the Conn
mittee on Buildings of the Board of Aldermen
yesterday in joint meeting voted to tear down
and remove the old Hall of Records, the old City
Court Building and the engine house, whore
No. engine is housed, in order further to
hance the beauty of City Hall Park. These re-
movals, according to the resolution, to be
accomplished 'fn due time
For long time the New-York Historical So
ciety and kindred societies have endeavored to
obtain the old Hall of Records for an historical
museum. The Building Committee of the Board
of Aldermen has given number of hearings
this proposition, and few months ago acqui-
esced in a resolution of this character. The
action yesterday looks to the erection of inn
meIse municipal building for the uses of the
city departments Controller Grout for some
time has advocated such building. and has
opposed the plans to repair the County Court
house and enlarge it at expense of about
So, 600 900. In speaking of the resolution passed
yesterday, he said:
The architecture of these three buildings is
not in keeping with the modern architecture of
the other buildings. All three buildings are
small and unsightly and should be removed
They only tend to crowd the Park. and that
property where they stand Will be used entirely
for park purposes. 1t will give a chance for a
good approach and view of the new Hall of
Records now building and will beautify the
park in its entirety. Besides this if you will
remember these buildings removed would give
opportunity to widen the roadways in that
neighborhood. AS they at present they
narrow and point like fan. 1 think Park Row,
Centre-st and Nassau-st where they prac-
tically intersect, could be made wider, and give
a sort of curved effect to the streets.
AS ii is now, the city is paying about S3OO,O00
annually for rentals for offices. To be exact
it is S295 600 That is a rental of about 312 per
cent on SS000,000, and the sum of SS,00O000
would give you very good margin after you
have put up a municipal building. The city
would therefore, save in the end by erecting a
municipal building, to say nothing of saving
on any premiums that would come from the
bonds.
The Controller added that it might be a good
scheme to take an option the property on
the northerly side of Chambers-st., across from
the City Hall Park, to use until such time
municipal building could be erected. He said
that he thought the subject would be brought
ND and discussed at length in the fall.
The Controller said that considerable action
would have to be taken before the buildings
could be torn down. The first step will be to
get the approval of the Board of Aldermen.
Then the Mayor must act. After that the Fire
Commissioner will have TO find another site for
hook and ladder. The Registers office cannot
possibIy be moved with all the valuable rec
ords until the new Hall of Records is com
pleted 1t will be year at least before TINS
is done. .,,-- -
The Controllers idea is that eventually mu-
nicinaI building should be erected beside the
new Hall of Records in Chambers-st., which
would run to Broadway, if the Stewart Build
ing could be acquired.