Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-11
PLAN FOR
A CIVIC CENTER
COMBINE CITY HALL, AUDITOR
IUM MNIlKET, HIGH SCHOOL
AND STORES IN ONE.
Mcclure father OF IDEA
Man Who Originated Unit Plan for
schools Has An Interesting
civic Center Plan.

M ""ul'"ll"llli htdlHB lV,UUU peo-
ple, a public market, high school
"A city han and police station, all on
ono block Of ground in the very
ieart OF the city.
That's the plan Of II. o. Mcclure,
member of. the board of education,
nnd originator Of the Mcclure sys-
TIM Of unit schools here that has at
tacted nationwide attention
Tho whole proposition is so simple
mad at the same time 50 inexpensive
Gnd practical that 1t merits the in
fant approval Of every citizen to
whom 1t is presented,
Tulsa is going to have a municipal
auditorium next year in which to
Louise the sessions OF the Internation-
al Dry Farming Congress In October.
Everybody is boosting for an auditor
inn and there can be little doubt OF
londs being voted for such purpose
II the very near future. But Mr..
McClure's plan Is to build an audi
torium, "A city hall and a high school
on civic center idea, at no more
cost than would be entailed In erect
Ing an auditorium alone.
Mr. Mcclure has given the problem
much thought and there is no ques-
ton in his mind but the proposition
en- be accomplished, providing tho
eople Of the city want It.
The block OF ground on which the
urge central and high school build
Ing Is now located ls the site OF the
tentative civic center. This structure
i3 old and out of date and will be torn
down in IA few years anyway. The
Mcclure plan IL to raze the building,
thus clearing the entire block, which
Is within q blocks distance from tho
postoffice.
The property IL dedicated for school
purposes and probably could not be
sold. But lease could be obtained
on 1t for the purpose In view.
A structure 1870 1870 feet in dl-
Iensions, would be erected on tho
very center Of the block 1t would
le four stories In height and strictly
fre proof. The ground floor would
consist of a large and handsome au-
ditorium, with a seating capacity OF
10000. on the second floor could be
housed the offices OF the mayor and
missioners. The third and fourth
foors would be used as a high school.
y large gymnasium would be INSTALL
ei on the upper floor. open air play
grounds are never provided In modern
high school systems. The high school
would be large enough to serve tho
needs OF tho city for years to come.
j would be reached both by STAIR
ways and elevators
Around the outer edge Of the build
ing would be n public market place,
In separate structure. On the OF
side OF the market would be a cover
ed passageway and from that point
on to the edge of the property line, on
all four sides of the block would be
erected a solid row Of one story
buildings. These could be utilized by
.olty offices that deal largely with the
public and for business rooms.
These store rooms would have
openings both on the four streets
surrounding the block and on the
covered court that would separate
them from the city market.
Not only would this plan be Ideal
from civic center viewpoint, but II
would be "A financial coup as well.
The revenue derived from the store
rooms and the market place would
Jay the interest on the bonds for tho
enterprise and also create an endow-
ment fund for the high school that
wpnlI 10
fw years.
According to Mr.. Mcclure the en-
IRE proposition can be built for $780,
600. The site. Of course. will not
faye to be bought.
SO more favorable location for the
cty hall. high school and auditorium
could be obtained than this one
II the bonds for an auditorium and
city hall are voted during the next
two months, work on the structures
could be started Immediately after
the close Of schools in May This
would make It possible to have the
ready for use by the time
of the big farming convention
Mr.. McCldre's idea has been trans
f1rmed into splendid drawing by
Architect Ralph Il. Swearingen The
draught gives splendid idea # the
general beauty Of such a plan as well
as its practlcablllty
Tulsas most pressing municipal
needs right now are a city hall and
an auditorium Here's way to So
cure both. at a normal cost. and
throw IN a high school as we'll with
out cost TO the board Of education
The plan Is worthy thinking over
at least.