New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-13
a RCHlTECTS OBJECT
against Plan for Nefc Building
M City Hail Park.

The New York Chapter of the American
institute OF Architects. while desirous of
not seeming TO oppose the County judiciary
its plans for q new county courthouse
has placed itself on record as being against
the proposal 10 erect the new building in
City Hall Park In pursuance of resolutions
passed unanimously at q special meeting
held early this month and confirmed at a
iater meeting, committee appointed
20 appear before the Board OF Estimate
snc Apportionment on March is 10 support
the chapters arguments against the site
proposed for the building
This committee consists of Grosvenor At
terbury. chairman; George b. Post l. n,
Phelps-Stokes and u. Everett Waid This
committee desires TO encourage the move
ment 30 provide the city with new court
house. which the judges have been try
ing 10 secure for seven years. but ii dis
agrees with them on the site which has
already been proposed. In presenting its
views, while the committee feels that it,
is dealing with men who are experts in the
matter Of economy and finance neverthe-
less il believes that there are certain as
poets Of the problem which come peculiar
ly within the scope Of the architects of the
city by whom the plans for the proposed
structure would be drawn
Should Buy Site.
Considering carefully all sides OF the
problem, the committee is confident that
notwithstanding the necessity FOR economy
the city can better afford TO buy suitable
ste Tor the new courthouse than to sacrifice
o. sell for that purpose substantially one
half Of the City Hall Park. Adnittin. that
It might be a good business policy. result
q
10 eXpend 100000. or more, if necessary
10 select proper site in this neiahborhoos
Tor the civic development which is bound
10 come, the committee also believes that
there are other possible solutions involving
az present an investment OF 100000 or
s4,"I"n, which would yet leave open the
possibility Of appropriate developrnent in
tie future.
In the first place. the committee consid
ers IL doubtful whether, setting aside ali
otner considerations. the City Hall Park
size is sufficient and proper one for what
VIII probably be the largest courthouse
In the world, rs il wise investment"
asks the committee. ITO place a building
costing 100000 or 100000. and which is
10 be the home for the judiciary of the
metropolis of America within fortv feet
OF the curb? Can the building be made
II is also questions whether the CITY Hall
Park site is the cheapest which the CITY
can provide, this argument il is stated
being practically the only one that can
be urged in favor of the site The COM
mittee believes in reality it would be one Of
The most expensive sites which the city
could select. The erection of the building.
II is declared. would once and for all block
what is obviously. from an architectural
point Of view. the most natural and effect
I've development in connection with City
Hall Park of a great civic centre in the
future. This objection, it is pointed out
is urged quite apart from the Immediate
effect on the existing park, streets and
buildings.
Means More Congestion.
Then the matter Of congestion must also
be considered, il is stated Possible means
for the prevention of congestion are being
studied and discussed. but IL is proposed
to erect a building TO contain 10000 feet
o floor space, with a capacity OF 1000 to
500 persons. in Of the breathing spaces
in the most copgested part OF the city, it
is declared. To actually reduce the lung
capacity of city that is spending millions
in war on tuberculosis the committee be-
lieves TO be dangerous economy
In considering whether or not il is an
extravagance for the city 10 buy a proper
site for the courthouse. two other
important facts must be realized, the COM
nittee fees-the earning power OF a great
monumental civic centre and the actual
cost in dollars and cents of extreme con-
sestion. Reference is made TO the great
commercial value Of the architectural mon
uments Of Vienna. Paris. Berlin and Rome
and how these cities are constantly in
creasing their civic beauty.
The cost to the city in congestion is
noted in the overload of the city service
as foun6 ia transports ton, sewage and
water mains, increase Of accidents addi-
tionaI fire hazards and other Elusive, but