Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-02
NEW POLICE COURT
COMMISSIONERS CONSIDERING
PLANS FOR BUILDING.
Large Number of Local Architects In
terested-S72, 900 Available for
Construction Purposes.

The Comm issioners, together with Build
ing Inspector Snowden Ashford, late this
afternoon will examine the twenty-one sets
of plans submitted by District architects in
competition for the new Police Court build
ing to be erected on the site of the old
structure at 9th and D streets. The Com
missioners express themselves as highly
gratifed at the large number Of local archi-
tects competing for this building, and also
with the splendid designs submitted. The
award of the $500 prize to the architect
whose plan is considered the most feasible
will not be made for several days. since the
authorities will have to take time to con-
slider the various designs in detail
While number of the plans are similar
In general appearance, yet the designs
differ greatly in respect to details of In
terror arrangement. In most of the plans
provision has been made for the main en-
trance on d street. but several OF the draw
ings show the principal entrance on 9Th
street. One of the plans calls for cost or
S13250O and several designs are estimated
by the architects to cost from $o.oO0 TO
$125 COO The plan with the lowest estl-
mated cost is designated as No. l.. which
the author said can be erected for 9,SSo. IL.
Amount Available.
The Commissioners in their estimates TO
Congress for the next fiscal year have
asked for $4,000 for the erection of a new
Police Court building. OF this amount,
after the architects fees deducted, there
viii. be left s72,OO0 for construction pur-
poses. The Commissioners all state posi-
lively that they will not ask Congress for
a larger appropriation than $T5,UoO, so the
design selected will have to come within
that amount. They believe that they can
secure a splendid building for the amount
requested and judging from the designs
submitted and the estimated cost of carry
ing them out, it seems that this amount
will be sufficient.
When the plans were opened in the board
room late yesterday afternoon each was
numbered and the sealed envelope inclosed.
containing the architects name, was placed
III the safe at the building. The plans will
be considered and the award will be made
by numbers.
Among the designs which seem to have
received the larger share of favorable COM
ment from those who have examined them
are Nos. /, . IL and 10. The style of No.
1 is Roman-Doric, and the front elevation
presents a dignified appearance. This plan
provides for non-freproof construction, with
stone and terra Gotta facings.
No and No. 10 are designed after the
French renaissance style of architecture.
The cost of the former. however exceeds
the amount requested for the building. The
front elevation of No. 10. which plan seems
to appeal quite favorably to all who have
seen it, has an appearance both artistic
and substantial The author of this plan
says 1t can be constructed for $1,000 US
ing a combination of Indiana limestone and
charcoal gray vitrified brick on the two
street elevations. He also states that all
parts of this building are easily accessible
from one central point
Reduced Size and Cheaper Material.
The front elevation of No. Ii presents
an attractive appearance The entrance
is large and in renaissance style. The au-
thor of this plan states that it will cost
about Sl25 600 and that in order to bring 1t
within the limit of the appropriation re-
uuested it will have to be constructed of
a cheaper material and reduced in size.
Judge Kimball of the Police Court was at
the District building today reviewing the
detailed plans and making notes of desira-
ble and undesirable features in the various
plans The committee on award of prize in
the competition consists of the three Com