New-York tribune., 1910-09-04
MIXING MODEL TILL4GE
Sage Structures To Be Freproof and
Nouel IN M0ny Ways.

NJ
ana Long Island City. viii soon have the op-
tsortunity Of witnessing the birth OF luIi
fedged village Of unique construction and archl-
lecture This village. il is understood, VIII
have the distinction Of being the first freproof
village in the United States. It is the model
village being constructed by the Russell Sage
Foundation Homes Company tan ofshoot Of the
Sase Foundation for the comfort OF the clerk
and the mechanic who has difficulty in finding
within his means desirable quarters in the city
The suburbanite who can tear his eyes from
his paper as the train speeds past the rude plat
form which denotes Forest Hills may already
see the beginnings Of the new community as ne
looks down from his window Below him roads
stretch across the small plain that flows be-
tween the track and the deep green forest N
the middle distance. They are little ragged
IN outline now but promise TO be lines Of beauty
when the borders are sodded and clipped Young
tres rise from the irregular shaped plots Of
green which are destined some day TO be park
spaces. Close by Italians are busily engaged in
ex-avating cellars and laying concrete walls II
sns-s imagination is keen enough he can picture
taa Village with its attractivey designed brick
ana str5cco walls and red tile roofs, glowing
against the fresh green Of the parking and the
forest and the stlimuaering srnooth-surfaced
highways.
There has been q great deal Of mystery re-
earGing the village. Those who have had charge
or the details Of the plan have been Wiling 10
SD only little until their plans We're fully
r7latr4red owing 10 the unique character OF the
,,,ss-tallfng The problem involved not only
th- LAYING out Of the tract in such a way as TO
rr54i5e a. once surroundings that would appear
q, ana educate the eye and furnish q maximum
OF Light and air TO living rooms, but also the
I.-<~5 ion,
- saace the design of external walls and OF
bui- ding materials in such way as to PROVIDE
ample. conveniently located and well lighted
rooms. surrounded by artistically pleasing walls
in ireproof materials This was to be done in
such a way as TO provide the maximum OF quail
ity with the minimum OF cost It was essential
tbzt they should do more than meet the coUlpe-
titjor Of the ordinary tenement house The ac-
Coua!nodations should be Illustrations OF WHAT
could be done commercially for the wage Garner
in the groups above the laborer, an incentive
TO others TO go and DO likewise
The work Of the projectors mas no" o0eo
carried forward TO a point where plans Tor sew
era Of the different types OF buildings have been
filed with the Department OF Buildings. While
some Of these may be amended IN oet2iis' theS
s1ue an impression Of what the development
will be like These plans INCLUDE a rallroao s'a-
ton hotel. two and three family apartment
houses, one family houses and low priced homes
for working
The main street Of the village, apparently
will be Continental avenue II Is the only tho1-
ougffare connecting the present village on tne
north side Of the railroad embankment Win
the model village on the south side Just east
Of the bridge carrying the tracks over the street
will l,a the railroad station and the station
square This square, whose westerly BOUNDARY
will i,e the avenue, apparently is TO be CIVIC
centre II IS to have unusual treatment
The hotel viii front on the square and face
the station 1t viii be in four parts. the central
section OF the main group being an octagonal
tower eight stories in height and topped with
q tiled dome. The entire building will De irresu-
lar in shape the main roof line being an obtuse
angle TO conform 10 the angle OF the square and
q street leading from il toward the southeast
The tower Will stand in the angie The wing
extending along the station square VIII De 11o-o
feet long and FIVE stories high, while the otnef
wing Will be 700 feet long and three stories IN
height Along the front viii be arcade with
aattened and elipitical arches, harrnonizlng IN
curve with those carrying the passages over the
streets. Fronting on the arcades behind the
arches are TO be stores. The ground floors OF
ali the buildings surrounding the square ap-
rzr-rfsV will be for use as business