New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-17
FOR PERMANENT HOME
BOARD OF HEALTH ACTS.
ResOL0eS TO Ask City to Bug Nelc
L. Building Near Union Square.

Walter Bensel. Sanitary Superintendent. sup
ported by the Board Of Health. win ask the Board
OF Estimate and Apportionment at the first meet
ing in September 10 buy permanent home for
the Department Of Health the tWelve-story Office
building in Of construction at the south
west corner Of 10th and Irving Place. al a
cost not TO exceed ss5000. The owner Of the new
building is the Kips Bay Realty Company.
The fact that the Board OF Health has decided
that IL wants a permanent home downtown was
made known yesteld day the Offices Of the depart
ment, the further fact that the subject had
received consideration at meeting OF the Board Of
Health held recently. with the result that resou-
iions favoring Superintendent Bensels reconimen-
xation that the building be purchased were
adopted.
The Board of Health also respectfully requests
ehe Board of Estimate and Apportionment 10 re-
lease II from the restrictions OF resolution adopt
ed December is. 1905 requesting the heads of vari-
,ous city departments and Offices not advertise
sor contracts nor enter into any further obliga-
rons 10 be paid for by corporate stock without first
submitting the same 10 the Board Of Estimate and
superintendent for approval The Board Of Esti-
mate is further petitioned approve Of the eN-
s1enditure OF 10000 by the Controller make the
sntial payment upon the execution OF the contract
sor the sale OF the premises described said sum 20
ie paid from the proceeds Of sale OF corporate
stock heretofore authorized for the acquisition Of
xites and OF buildings under the jurisdic-
tion Of the Department Of Health, and known as
the Department of Health building fund.
In the preamble 20 the resolutions adopted the
fact is forth that the lease of the premises
No. s6s TO sss Sixth avenue. the present quarters
OF the Board Of Health. terminated on May !. ana
that Il was deemed best for the interests Of the
city OF New York not 10 renew the same
The first announcement of the intention Of the
Department OF Health TO move was made In Inc
Tribune on May 90 following official notice from
the owners of the present headquarters of the De
rartent Health that the rent would be increased
10 $4,000 a year. about SIS per cent The owner
of the building, II. J. Brsker, gave the city an op
ton on the building at si5e,O00. The property Is
assessed at s2430Oo. Dr. Bensel said at the time
that the price prohibtive and In this stand he
was supported by Controller Metz and the Mayor.
Ever since last May the Health Department off,
Gals have been looking around for new abiding
place. and II is surprise that the choice has
fallen the building adjacent 10 Union Square
The large and steadily increasing volume of bust
ness transacted by the Department OF Health makes
q site near the subway desirable. The build
ing in Irving Place is close enough TO the subway
10 be convenient and the time is far enough
away the buster thoroughfares 10 he quiet for
she laboratories and clerical help.
The property occupied by the Department of
Health 55th street and Sixth avenue was bought
nearly twenty years ago by Richard Croker. then
at the head Of the Tammany Organization. site
for the Democratic Club. organized by himself I'm
opposition the Manhattan Club. that time in
THE old Stewart mansion Ssth street and Fifth
lravenue. The site liked by the wealthy
members OF the club ana MI croker was persuaded
80 change il for the in Fifth avenue. Mr.
sCroker paid only sl50.O00 but realty values have
risen in that neighborhood since then.
The Department Of Health also occupies three
noors at No s6S Sixth avenue. DR. Bensel and his
associates desire headquarters all under one roof
more easily accessible and better equipped than
the used.
! No mention is made in the resolution and pro-
posed OF provisions protect the city after
the payment OF its 500 600 contract should the
% slan h,,l s.,
accordance with specifications The city would of
course. have ground for action for breach of con-
tract. while the owners of the building would hold
$780, 900 OF the city's money as a binder