New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-18
CIVIC CENTRE PLAN
SaTE CITY HILL PARK
Fine fris Federation Takes
Courthouse Problem.

--.-.~sssr,flnr fhe National Academy OF i'e-
.,rr tbe Nsw YORK chapter ~ the Amen-
80 Institute ~ Architects. the American
-,-,ter Color society. che Society or A5nen-
s, Artists. tho Az, hiteciural League ~
~. Work. she American Pine Arls 30
.,.,. are Municipal Art Society OF Ne"
,t 49, society ~ RoauN Arts Archi-
.,. Rational structure Society, tire
,-..i.,sl society ~ Mural Painters, tho
-. york water color club. the Brooklyn
80 n tho American Society ~ Arch
ana The Society ~ Illustrators
~. nisr contenplates the removal OF an
s,ss-gs eNcem the CITY Nall from city
- ~ and provides for tho develop
--.-, ~ a civic centre adjoining the city
,r.- urirr would save me rent ~ tenn
trg5ircs now used by the city ana
~. .,,,s time give instant relief for
ana ,.sces until the new court
- IS erected On q centrally located
...to, ,hrs avoiding the scattering ~
...-,o.,s 5epartmeuts as oOutempla' n
d. ,,,e ,,isn for erecting the new courthouse
-, s,,e nov occupied by the courts.
-,o.iscs tho new building woule be- in a re-
nd nosition such IS is desirable FOR
,.o,,rts and uoult ~ in direct comInunicc-
zion with th, Hall ~ Records
Asvoortss Buying Block.
rfe -,an ss submitted calls TO- the con-
fe0nation and purchase ~ the central POI
.i.r nj ths blocks hctWoe Broadway ane
.-rtre street from the north sid ~ Cham
ta-s street 20 the south Side - nuane
-,.est. 81 ar estimate cos' - "a little more
,-.1n asoo'o on the northerlv section ~
ire condemned property. Immediately on
80 north side ~ Reade street. ths cIt-
mould srect az once me new county couri-
talse or al least tho major portion ~ Il,
IN tfe form 81 "a high building leaving
rrr- area snd space or all sizes FOR future
additions 20 complete the general develop
rfGt
This would leave the existing and partly
completed buildings nov occupying The
north side - 'Aambers street thnough -
Eesde sfroei. 90 he used Immediately Tor
tfs relief of THE judiciary, putting certain
courts r the present bank building and
-s'rr f1s new Office building for sudees'
.hambe-s Any portions remaining after
--osidirr Tor these needs could be nsed Tor
other civ departments pending the CON-
lls,iou ~ the Municipal Building and The
re-nancrt accommodations I'm the proposed
rfN courriouse.
AZ Tho earliest possible moment there
s.tsr ths city should condemn and pur-
Ease ire --st al Tho property or the
rorE side - Chambers street. 50 as 20
make pos~ihl. Tho completion az The gem
t-ai scheme IN which tie present Han az
Records woglG he balanced by a corre-
bonding civic building or the corner Of
broadway
Civic Centre Of Dignity.
v-er thc city could AFFORD TO 90 I. II IS
sife'. tie eity should demolish the present
'lHd'ng> 'u the central portion Of the north
d. of Chambers street. possibly using the
stewart Building for temporary OCCUPATION,
aH- erect in their place "a comparatively
io" structare 20 complete tie COURTEOUS by
providing suitable quarters COR the Commits
.,oDer az Jurors. the county CLERK and such
''Her accommodations as had not been
crowded FOR In the original building.
hesc ope-ati9ns Z is pointed OUT ia re
an Submitted. would result Ia the degeI-
''ment al q civic centre Of great dignity
-H. architectural possibilities
't WosId DO possible 10 condemn and pur-
-lase immediately only the properly actu.
oily needed Tor the erection ~ the new
.lg-thogse, ou the north side 80 Reade
street. and 20 wait uuul the city's funds
a-c ir better condition before Condemuing
.c portion directly north az Chambers
slrect This would involve an expenditure
q" only S-.e'0 go but the promoters ~ the
r'au consider that II might prove mad
..saale in the end.
by condemnirg the entire chambers
street. front. d is pointed out. the Interest
charges would DO less thar the amount now
rails ou' FOR office rentals f0r the housing ~
Pre- various departments. pending the com
rlc.ion of the Municipal Bu.!ding while the
condemn ation and purchase al once ~ the
sntire two blocks between Chambers street.
Duane street. Broadway and Centre street
would eventually allow fho city 20 Tecoup
large po-ti7a - its Original investment
eaa Features Pointed Out.
me directors o. the federation urge as
r'eetiors to the plan % the County Court
'olse Board that il would sacrifice sub
-iantialy haf ~ city Hall Park detract
fon the architectural vulue 81 the Hau Of
Records emo The new Municipal Building.
iHrreagc congestion ga an already cOngested
district and obstruct the natural future
c'rc devs .oUmont adjoining the park.
Tire location ~ new courthouse Oa fhe
-'e ~ tho present building Il b. pointed
"lf would also preclude tho addition Of
Ia0re courts in the futurc and cause the In
alrerIeut housing Of the courts and Judges.
'lt4 q cost IN rentals % more than $4,000
b would mean type of building not
damaging in SIS relation 20 tho City Han.
tt Involving longer time % build and a
f.sher expense ~ is claimed. and the eN-
.lsi0u b5 reason ~ the shape % The plot
0o-tonucl % certain t,-2Cs 81 treatment
considered by scme architects - De least
famaging 20 tie cry Hall. o. Ia the case
oi last resort the city Hall Park must b.
ssracel
Low Applsuds New Plan.
-fiH Low, Iormer Mayor 81 AeW York.
Is enthusiast On favor ~ THE plan slg-
s's'ea by the Pine Arts Federation. and IN
tl support mas written an open letter 10 the
Nas"r Ano members % tho Board ~ Esti-
"'a" Ano Apportonmeut as follows:
break q long silence II. regard "a maj
N-e itiatte 10 fhe Clt3 iu order 4. ~
- lne hope that the 80, I'd 81 Estimate
,ti'- itilL Nll NOT Eilacf the new
.r..,t,. - li t,e fiir Han PARK. ] sp-
H''ii't .hr difficulties of che prob
ara thr Gaferal and l,r,r,sr d...iIe a.
bpt'ffWrIf Ir e-..llfe "a slitsb ie
H.I. a. I.ff.e outlay Is moss ale
~ t'af Tie I1ra:ion - fhe court
-. .- Int tii} Hsu Park. upon land
".. owned Hr fut flfy wiIf so
fit 81 80 eAI.udlfuus fo- me ste On ,fe
l.ai' tus decision II II d. rnade
...f City rtaf the city cannot fs--
~ any amount ~ ui0iIey-tllc aTiuOr-
$3.50 no make an impressive municipal
iaa ciy ~ New York hefore oorsol,6,,-
'-l' hl8nt have been nardoued fof. rualir.s
+" '' -t.p"tr huf TIE Cifg az New York
s' is Too great, both actually and rro
Noi .ht Fashion ~ ire Hoard feels fhsf
tf rourflouse ought 20 - 80. -, -,