The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-20
WILL ERECT NEW
union STATION
Charlottesville to Have Modern
and Up-to-Date Struc-t
ture.
COMPLETE PLANS ARE READY
Following Pressure From Cor
poration Commission, Southern
Agrees to Build.

Plans were fled with the state Cor
poration Commission yesterday by the
Southern Railway Company for a new
Union Passenger Station at Union De-
pot, Charlottesville. 10 cost not less
lhan $4,000. The building having an
entrance directly from Main Street will
completely revolutionize traffic condi-
tons at tho junction. and will afford
modern and adequate Accommodations,
The Southern Railway has promised
to begin construction at oaoe and to
press it to q prompt completion.
For nearly year Judge William F.
Rhea, OF the Corporation Commission.
has had this matter in hand. Trips OF
inspection have been made TO the
Union Station. and lately the sharp
est pressure has been brought to bear
on the Southern to take steps 10 abate
an intolerable condition.
Tho union station is located at the
crossing of the main lines OF the
Southern and Chesapeake and Ohio.
in the western part of the city OF
Charlottesville. not far from the en-
trance 10 the University of Virginia
grounds. II Is the only stop OF the
Southern Railway for either Charlottes-
vile or the university The Chesa-
peake and Ohio expended a consider
able cum a few years ago in erecting
a large downtown station for its own
use, IN the heart of the business sec
Iion of Charlottesville, and uses the
junction mainly as transfer point
to and from the Southern. and for Uni
versity OF Virginia passengers
The union station is located in n
depression considerably below the
street level and passengers reaching
Il on foot had TO cross a number OF
shifting tracks leading to the South
ern freight depot and yards. A more
dingy. attractive. uninviting place
could hardly have been imagined, and
IN recent years the station, lacking
both in paint and ordinary cleanliness,
has proved a most unsuitable gateway
.or visitors from all parts of America
and from abroad coming 10 the Uni
versity OF Virginia
Modern Building Planned.
The new plans which have been ex-
amined and approved by Judge Rhea
for the commission call for large
modern aid slightly building. An over
head way leading directly from the
sidewalk OF Main Street will conduct
foot passengers from street cars into
the second floor of the new station,
where are provided spacious waiting
rooms, womcn's retiring rooms. and a
promenade or porch out over the train
shed. from which there is an excep-
t!onal view ot Monticello Mountain in
one direction. and of the University OF
Virginia observatory IN the other.
On the lower floor are complete and
modern arrangements for tickets. bag
gage, mems rooms and waiting rooms
for colored people, with provision for
- restaurant An old water tower
taking up much space. Is to be re
moved. and some shifting tracks re-
arranged to provide more adequate and
attractive carriage entrances Chesa-
peake and Ohio trains enter on one side
and Southern Railway trains on the
other, so that there need be no con-
fusion. Though intended TO be used
jointly by the two roads, the station
Will he erected and owned by the
Southern.
Architectural Effect.
Special attention has been given to
the outside architectural appearance
TO give n building not only in keeping
with the business demands Of grow
ing city. but also providing an attrac-
tive entrance way TO visitors coming
TO the university. Although sitting
rack in It's own grounds. where ample
space can be obtained both for the
station itself and for Vehicle traffic and
haggsge and express Handling. the pro-
advantages of n station fronting di-