New-York tribune., 1903-04-01
TO REBUILD STATION.
90 STORIES FOR ". 7. &.
Vacant Block adjoining To Be Used
Possible Hotel an Building.

Plans for the reconstruction of the Grand
Central terminal of the New-York Central Rail-
road practically completed Within few
days they will be made public and pictures Of
the station published.
| 1t was learned yesterday that the work of re-
constructing the station will be done by the
United States Realty and Construction Com
pany. Representatives of that company and
| officials of the New-York Central have been in
| conference frequently of late. and it is under
| stood that an agreement has been reached and
| the contract practically let.
When the changes are completed. so it was
| said yesterday, the New-York Central will have
enough room for all the offices required and for
| its terminal facilities. and at the same time
sufficient space will be left to rent to tenants to
insure an income of 3 or ?1z per cent on the
entire cost of the work of remodelling the
station
| 1t is the intention of the railroad company to
| reserve to its own use such parts Of the build
| ing as are needed for its terminals and its
Offices and then turn over the rest to the real
| estate companies for rental purposes. reserving
| the right to determine what tenants are salts
| factory, For instance, it has been rumored
| that there will be big department store In the
new station. This is untrue. An official said
| Yesterday: I'VE don't want any tenant that will
bring wagons and trucking around the station.
| cOngeSCeQ
| The plans under consideration are now being
| completed by W. J. Wigus, chief engineer of
| the New-York Central These provide for addi-
tionaI stories on the present building that will
| carry it up to twenty stories. An annex. con-
| nected with the station. will be built on the
/ vacant block bounded by Forty-third st, Madi-
| son-ave., Forty-fourth-s and Vanderbilt-ave'
/ There will be an arcade over Vanderbilt-ave
| where the connection is made This enormous
I addition will be uniform in height with the re-
| built station.
| '"The trouble with the Central" said an Off
| ciaI Yesterday, lis that we have never appre-
! ciated the value of the air. We have stuck TO
| the squat building here while every one else
| has been pushing right up in the air to find
| room Now we are going to do 1t and we
will find it will pay
| Just what use the additional room will be
| put to is uncertain. A hotel is a probability
| There may be arcade stores for flowers, fruits
| candies cigars millinery etc. as they will not
! re 1uire delivery wagons and trucks which
would block up the streets. Then there will
| be many offices available for rental These
| offices, 1t is believed, Will appeal especially tC
| people doing business with firms up the State
| There are many other plans under considera'
| tion There are the subway connection and the
tunnel to the new Pennsylvania terminal II
/ West Thirty -fourth-st. The change in and de-
preston of the tracks below the street level
| the Park-ave viaduct and the other improve
| ments have all been outlined, When tht
| changes are effected the new Grand Contra
will equal, if it does not surpass. in SIZE equip
| ment and facilities. the proposed pennsylvania
| terminal.
| The work of reconstruction is TO be started
| alr,ost at once The officials believe that al
| the rights necessary will be secured from the
| legislature soon The traffic will be inter
| fered with only slightly. if at all, while the
| will run into the millions. It will be prosecuted
| vigorously from the start