New-York tribune., 1907-05-11
SC0RNS GRAND JURY
TURNS DOWN COURT SITE.
Board of Estimate Rejects Location
an Union Square.

The course Of the grand Jury IN precipitating
action by the Board of Estimate on the Union
Square site for proposed courthouse IS re
sented by Mayor Mcclellan and Controller Metz.
The board rejected the Union Square site yester-
day, and It is a question now whether, under the
special act authorizing the courthouse commission.
che site can ever be used If the city has the
money 20 spend. The law says that when a site
reported by the commission is rejected by the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment another
site shall be chosen Under threat of possible
Indictment by the grand jury. the board rejected
site which It would have been glad TO approve If
there had been plenty of money for il.
Controller Metz estimates that the site would
have cost sl2Oo0O90 and the building $s0000o" the
Mayor said yesterday. IF We had decided TO go
ahead that basis, with debt margin of only
$1,000 900 at this time, every large public improve
ment in the city would have come TO an immediate
stop. We had either to accept reject. We
could accept the site at present, but possibly
might have done later this year next year
The Mulberry Park site, considering the possible
cost of foundations seems 70 be equally costly. 1
understand from Controller Metz the Madison
Square Garden could be bought for Sl,50oo0
Ths report OF the committee the courthouse
site rejecting the Union Square location was. In
part, as follows
A public hearing given on this matter on
March last, for the purpose Of obtaining ex-
hat a vast outlay OF from S2oGo0G,5 to 100000
IN regard 10 it, Two were for the site and TWO op-
posed 10 IL.
The site at Union Square. recommended by the
Courthouse Board, would, in the judgment of your
committee cost much more than the 10000 esti
mated. and this expensive site. with the building
suggested, would exceed in cost, your committee
thinks, more than $50 000000 Your committee is Of
the opinion that admitting the necessity for new
courthouse, nevertheless the expenditure Of such
G large sum would be q very eXtraVagant under
taking, considering that public Improvements OF
great magnitude under way and others con-
femplated. There are pressing needs for more
school buildings TO accommodate with full time
classes the rapidly increasing school population.
There Is demand for station and fire houses
also. More bridges. bridge terminals and subways
needed 70 relieve the present congested condi-
ton Of travel between the several borouGhS. De-
nands also made for an increase IN our small
park system TO meet the needs Of those living in
the crowded sections OF the city. and various other
Improvements are called for which quite
necessary a sumptuous courthouse
The selection Of the Union Square site would in
volre the closing Of 18th and 10Th streets, between
Union Square and irving Place, and these closngs
would involve considerable inconvenience to many
citizens.
For these reasons your committee recommends
the rejection Of the proposed Union Square site
submitted by the Courthouse Board.
After the report had been read and unanimously
adopted. President MCGOWAN said: The secretary
VIII inform Mr Jerome of the action OF this board
enG that Will be an answer TO him" Mr.. Jerome
lad written 10 the board calling attention TO the
condition Of the present County Court building ana
70 the charge made by Justice Creenbaum IN Part
J, Trial Term, Criminal Branch, last Monday.