The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-25
THE POsTOFFICE.
The Government Should Have the
Whole Square for New Building.

3\Vl1Olc Square lot NEW bullulilS.E
Editor OF The Tlmes-Dlspatch;
| Sir,--I have some suggestions TO offer
very modestly. with reference to the post
office site and building, upon which l
hope all classes OF our citizens may
unite.
1t has been practically decided that
tile general postofice Will remain down
town That may be regarded as a fact
that is fixed. / fully concur IN the
wisdom OF this determination, provided
the entire square from Tenth to Eleventh..
and from Main to Bank Streets. can
be secured.
The building standing in the way arc
the National Bank Of Virginia, the build
ing owned by the Mutual Assurance So
ciety dn which their former Offices were
located, and the Office buildings in. rear
of these. and extending to Bank street,
which are occupied mainly by real estate
agents. The aggregate assessed Talua-
ton of all these properties amounts to
$4,000. or course, the owners would
not be willing to accept assessed yaiua-
ton, but II acquired by purchase or
condemnation the cost would probably
not exceed $4,000 to $50 900
The government has already acquired
the Shafer property and now owns, say
three-fourths OF the square. This nc
QUESTION would give them the remaining
onc-fourtll. They would then own the
entire square right in the center and
heart Of the financial and commcrcili
and industrial Interests of the city. This
would provide ample room for a magni-
ficent building to contain not only the
postoflcc. but all the Federal offices
and courts, with external light ana ven
tilation on all -four sides, and open spaces
around It, affordng views of the State
grounds and buildings beyond.
Tho Main Street front would DC upon
the busy hum and activity Of ou' leading
business thoroughfare, with tie upper
stories looking out upon the beautiful
scenery south Of the James. The Bank
Street front would be upon the exquisite
landscape and grandeur of the State
Capitol grounds and buildings.
have often wondered how the super
yIyng architect Of the United States gov
crnnlcnt could devise satisfactory
building upon this three-quartcrs Of a
square, being embarrassed by the con-
tlouity OF the adjoining buildings.
But turn him loose upon the entire
square with all other buildings removed,
and with the surroundings above de-
.cril,ed, and 1t would gladden. his heart
to draw the plans for the new cdificc, x
An example and illustration of this
building In Washington city. tho most
conspicuous and commanding building
uponylts most beautiful thoroughfurc to
be seen and admired for squares as YOU
approach .iti from either direction on
Pennsylvania Avcnue.
Another illusatrtion moy be seen in our.
own City Hall. where the architect ltns
placed upon u slnGulnrly beautiful and
appropriate site, an edlflce that Is COLI
coded by III to ho IN architectural gem.
Tho government would as readily APP
propriatc ono million or a million and
a quarter dollars, MS the eight hundred
thousand that have been suggested II
this matter IS presented and urged prop
crly. IT Is q brond-nlinded ana compre-
hensee government, and does not do
things in n cheap way. It viii he glad
to xccognize the Importance OF historic
Richmond, the capital of the o4d DO
minion, and head It's claims based upon
steady growth, and steadily Increasing
revenues in postal service. ana be liberal
Ia It,
sincerely trust that these suggestions
may be approved ky the bulk of our
people and that we may all pull together
for their accomplishment,
The bank people could probably acquire
the property at northeast corner Eleventh
and Main, known MS the Schoen corner,
or lie property at southwest corner Tenth
and Nain. known MS the Bargamn COR
nor. or one of several other sites, on
which to erect n grand bank and Office
building combined, which would add an-
other ornament and convenience to our
esawing and beautiful city,.
e1 CHARLES l.. TOpi.,
tr,,.llnond. March "a. 1906.
Judge ,Leake's Denial.