The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-05
PROPOSES
CITY HALL ANNEX
Offers Ordinance Providing for
Bond Issue of $50O,00O to
Finance Project.
WANTS LARGE AUDITORIUM
Special Committee to Secure
Plans, Including Library
and Courtrooms.

Ford Hotel block by tho city is fore
cast in resolution introduced last
night In tho Common Council by
President r. Lee Peters. authorizing Il
100000 bond issue. tho proceeds OF
which are to be devoted to the erec-
ton on this site of Il municipal build
ing, containing space for the city
courts, public library and city
auditorium.
With the bond Issue resolution MIR.
Peters introduced companion meas
ure directing the appointment OF Il
special joint committee Of five mem
bers-two from the Board OF Alder
men and three from the Common
Council-"to consider the necessity Of
erecting n new municipal building on
the Ford's Hotel site. located in the
block bounded by Eleventh. Twelfth.
broad and Capitol Streets. and 10 as
certain full information as to plans
md costs for such building as con-
ditions require and report Its recon-
mendations TO either branch at rs
early date is practicable"
The resolution appointing the spe-
cial committee was upon the motion
OF Councilman Mills amended 80 as
10 add to the committee OF Ave the
presidents OF both branches of the
Council. In It's amended form, d.
recting tho appointment of q Joint com
mittee of seven MEMBERS the resolu
tion was taken up under q suspension
OF the rules, and passed by unani
nous vote. 1t goes now To the Board
OF Aldermen for concurrence at It's
meeting next Tuesday night.
OVERWHELMING SENTIMENT
FOR LIBRARY BUILDING
The unanimous action of the Com
mon Council In approving the resolu-
tion appointing the special Joint com
mittee was taken last night to indicate
ali oYcrwh Ginning sentiment In favor
OF utilization OF the Ford lot by the
city. Individual members last night
expressed their unqualified approval
OF the building project sketchcd In
the Peters bond Issue resolution. a
FEW were undecided az TO the wisdom
OF bringing tho auditorium. library
and city Offices under one roof, but
were disposed 10 give the plan seri-
Gus consideration.
II have assurances from members OF
The Finance Committee and from in
divlduals in both bodies that they Will
support the building project TO the
end. SAID Mr.. Peters last night. '"I
believe that the Council will vote
overwhelmingly to authorize the bond
.ssue. and that the municipal building
on The Ford Hotel lot is not far in
Inc future.
II have consulted with architects az
10 the character and cost of n build
ing tha; would meet the city's needs.
and have been assured by them that
modern nreproof structure OF five
stories in height and arranged TO take
care OF the enterprises designated in
my resolution, can be built for $780,
600. The details VIII, OF course. be
worked out by the special joint com
mittec.
1T would be desirable. In my opinion,
TO have the new building follow In "A
general way the architectural lines of
the present City Hall The resemblance.
however, need not be carried out in the
interior arrangement. II would per-
haps be advisable to connect the two
buildings with IA subway running under
Eleventh Street"
WHAT BOND RESOLUTION
PROPOSES TO EFFECT
The bond issue resolution, which was
referred to the Finance Committee au-
thorizes the issuance OF 100000 In
per cent bonds. having thirty-fou years
to run. The proceeds from the sale of
these bonds are TO be devoted to the
construction OF public municipal
building. the first floor Of which shall
be arranged for and dedicated an an
auditorium, with Il seating capacity of
not less than 5000 persons, and the re-
maining floors Of which shall be ar
ranged for the use of such State and city
courts as the laws require the city Of
Richmond TO provide accommodations
for"
While the resolution contains no
reference TO quarters for n public
library the omission, said Mr.. Peters
Is an inadvcrtent one 1t is his pur-
pose he said. to- propose an amend
ment making special provision for
library space, as we'll as another
amendment increasing the seating ca
pacity OF the proposed auditorium from
5000 to 10000.
The building movement Inaugurated
last night by the two resolutions in
troduced by President Peters, reduce $
to n negligible possibility the sale of
the Ford Hotel lot TO the State An
act passed by the last General Assem-
bly, authorizes the Commonwealth to
acquire the property If 1t can be
bought for slS0,00U. The city paid
$l6S.0o0 for the property several years
ago.
LITTLE CHANCE OF SELLING
FORD LOT TO STATE;
a number OF members of the Council,
In speeches made during the recent
municipal campaign. pledged them
selves to oppose the alienation of the
Ford Hotel site from the city Those
who did not expressly declare their op-
position to sale of the property to
the State went on record as opposing
the sale of any property or utility
owned or operated by the city.
The crowded condition Of the City
Hall has been long recognized. and will,
IL is believed, add impetus to the
movement launched last night Sew
eral city departments, notably the
Police and School Departments, are
housed in outside quarters for lack of
space In the City Hail. which once nc
commodated them. 1t Is felt that n
Capitalization of tho city's machinery
of government Is desirable, and that
building on the Ford Hotel lot would
meet the demand for additional space.
Queen Postponcs Visit.
Sofia. Bulgaria, May 4-Queen