The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-26
PLAN OF The BATHS.
City Engineers Office Completes De-
signs for Alterations in the
Old City Hall.
Estimates of the Cost Are Being.
r.. Made To-day-The Pro-
posed Changes.

Elaborate plans for converting the old
city hall into municipal sbathhouse and
for devotirg space not needed for baths
to other practical pulposes,. have about
been completed in the city engineers Of
fee. To-day the plans are being gone
over carefully with the idea OF arriving at
some definite conclusions as to the cost.
Having been assured Of a certain sum by
H. G. Akeley, who has generously offered
to finance the undertaking, Health Com
missioner Hall is airning, for the present
at least, to keep strictly within the sum
proposed. But he has larger, plans in
mind for the future: IT. :.
The plans call for big plunge in the
basement of the remodeled building, the
tank to be sixty feet long, thirty-two
feet wide at one end and nineteen at the
other. Beginning at the narrow end,
with a depth Of four feet, the depth is to
be gradually increased to fourteen feet
at the other end. Around the plunge will
be sixty shower baths A laundry will
also be located in the Bridge Square end
Of the basement. There will be room for
bowling alley under the sidewalk. ;
The flooring between the basement and
the first floor will be knocked out so as
to make one large room for the nata
forum, and allow for sixty more shower
baths on a platform running around the
tank above the others. In the Bridge
Square end and on level with the street
will be public lavatory and a kitchen.
Plans for the Future.
That is all that is contemplated for the
present. But DR.. Hall believes that in
the near future funds will be forthcoming,
by the aid of which the entire structure
can be used for the good of the public.
He proposes to put in a half floor between
the present first and second floors and use
1t for running track, of thirty laps to
the mile. On the second floor he plans
gymnasium, with handball and basket
ball courts, a barber shop and small
dining room above the kitchen, where
light luncheons can be served at COST
Not the least important of his plans is
that which contemplates the use of the
third floor for a public lecture room
Every progressive city in this enlight-
ened age" said DR.. Hall, 'should have a
public hall for the discussion of questions
of the day by people who now use the
streets for that purpose. Who can esti-
mate the educational value of such hall
in such a quarter of the city, where, for
instance, there might be a course Of lee
lures in university extension work and a
realization, perhaps, Of the principles
which animated the old country guilds?"
There would still be room on the third
floor for the associated charities which
needs just such location.
Library and Reading Room.
The fourth floor would be an admirable
place, DR.. Hall thinks, for branch of the
public library and a reading room Here
also would be the custOdians quarters. :
''By all MEANS" said DR.. Hall, when
we have this admirable opportunity for
doing at nominal cost something which
would really benefit the public of Mime
apolis, let's take advantage Of it. If we
nh lilo, hrH TNia c w NV
not bring them close to the people whom
they are designed to profit? I am con-
fdent that such an institution as I pro-
pose would become selfsustaining. 49,
The plan to make room for the central
police station at the city hall is not be-
ing seriously considered. 1t was not re-
garded as feasible from the moment, It
was proposed, and so many objections
have been urged against it that the plans
drawn up for presentation to the, commit
tee do not contemplate any, such, use of
the building. ..- . = ',...,- ..