The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-25
About Six Thousand Dollars
viii Be Spent.
Lower Floor VIII Be Built Out
to Sidewalk.
LESS PITCH TO FLOOR.
Asbestos Curtain and Loggia
Will Be Added.
Contracts for Humane Society
Building Ready.
LESS PITCH TO FLOOR.

The contracts for rebuilding the
Grand opera house will be let within
two weeks.
The seating capacity Will be increas-
ed and the building made more IRE
proof.
The plans are now in the hands of
the architect and though they are yet
in the formative period the principal
details as arranged are. A reduction
Of the pitch OF the parquet floor three
feet. the extension Of the first floor
flush to the sidewalk; the construction
of loggia; a new asbestos curtain,
none now exists; the reconstruction Of
the first tier of boxes and redecOration
Of the interior.
Last November the public buildings
committee of the city council before
permitting the Grand to be opened
after its long period of idleness specl-
fed a number Of requirements which
must be met with before the house
could be opened This consisted of the
widening of certain alsles, shutting up
the upper portion Of the gallery, an
asbestos curtain and the construction
Of a proscenium wall.
The most important items, the pro-
scenium wall and the asbestos curtain,
were permitted to be installed later,
the time limit being september 1. 1905.
In anticipation OF this limit the the
alter management have rushed through
the plans of the architect and the con-
tract for about $4,000 worth of repair
and construction work VIII be let IN
side of two weeks.
The statement was made last fall
that $50. 1000 would be spent in I'M
proVements this summer but this has
been shaved down considerably. In
stead of bringing out the entire front
of the building to the sidewalk, simply
the lower floor will be extended.
The addition will be constructed of
brick to conform with the remaining
portion Of the building
The pitch of the Darquet floor will
be materially reduced. Instead of
having a final pitch of 8 feet above the
stage it viii be but ) feet. the con-
atruction of the extension adding thir-
teen feet to the parquet and making
the slope more gradual. The loggia
VIII occupy a position Immediately to
the rear of the last seats in the par
quet.
The lower tier of boxes will be split
up into two instead of three distinct
boxes, the upper boxes will remain the
same as they are now No change or
alterations will be introduced in the
balcony or gallery. The asbestos cur
tain will be nut in and the proscenium
wall, making it possible to cut off the
stage entirely from the remaining part
of the house and lessenine the dangers
Of a destructive fire. T H. Leseher is
the architect who is planning the al
terations.
Tt is Drobab bic that the council will
appoint a special committee when the
tmproven ents have been finally COM
pleted TO see if they conform with
those specified by the public buildings
committee in November.
The contract for the erection of the
Topeka Humane society building will
be let from the Office of Squires &
Holland Saturday The building will
be erected a Ninth and Kansas ave
nue., and VIII be partially used for the
headquarters Of the society as well as
other business. The estimate is $1,000
for the erection. It viii be two stories
nigh Of pressed brick. the first floor is
planned for rental to some business
firm. while the second floor will be d.
vided off into Offices.
The building at 625 Jackson street.
formerly occupied by the Topeka
Laundry company. now owned BY Dana
MacNicar, Will be entirely rebuilt The
front Of the building is to be torn out
and new iron and plate glass Install
ed. the floors will be rebuilt and the
rear of the building extended. The
contract for this will be let next week
The improvements viii represent an
expenditure of $4,000. The Kansas
Farmer viii occupy the building.
The residence of Frank Bradley at
1898 Western avenue is going to be
entirely renodeled at heavy expense
A reception hall will be added, a new
porch will be built and the house
which is a large one will be made one
Of the most attractive in that part of
the city eve haven't made final
estimate on what it will cost said
chandler & Nielsen. who are ma king
The plans for the alterations