Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1922-07-28
THE CIVIC CENTER.

l., WISHcU 10 20 from HIS nOIel 10 inc
public library to secure data, then to
the city hall to obtain the signature of n
notary, then to the postolfice to send
this material by registered mail, and
finally to the railway station to take a
train, it would be necessary for him to
travel n considerable distance and to
spend much valuable time in searching
out these important public buildings. 1t
must be plain to the most Indifferent
observer that had these structures been
grouped about public square or lined
along the river front the result would
have been both convenient and pleasing
to the eye. The case of Fulton alone
ought to provide sufficient evidence to
convince the most skcptical that the
grouping of public buildings so as to
form civic center is not a fad. but is
based upon the saving grace of common
sense.
What is true of this New York mu-
nicipality is true of very large number
of American communities and one does
not have to go far to discover the reasons
for this promiscuous location of build
ings of public character. Very fire.
quently city. county state and nation
are called upon to erect buildings within
municipality and because there is no
co-ordinating agency the result often
times is most distressing. The city hall
is built by government transitory in
character The court house is con
structed by the county authorities in al
Independent manner. The armory is
erected by a state commission; and tl,-
postofiicc by federal agency. In addition
to these, such buildings as libraries ant
| legion homes although erected fire.
quentiy by funds other than public. arc
| essentially public in character and theil
| indiscriminatc location adds to confu
sion and inconvenience. 1t is true that
many. public buildings do not lend them
| selves to the grouping principle. Fire
| stations must be placed at strategic
points. SchOolhouscs ought to be so dis
| tributed as to make them easily reached
by the children of the different areas
Hospitals have their peculiar demands
| Wnlcn must DC NIT IL t"h'H u" i'"r'"'
study to determine the buildings whicl
properly make the civic center.
In Barre. VT. one finds a pleasant
contrast to Fulton. Here is to be seci
n good example of beautiful and con
vcnient civic center which reflects thu
good judgment of those who have beer
guiding Barres growth. Grouped abou
n triangular park are the Hotel Barre
the Aldrch library, the city hall, tn
postoffice, the Legion home and severa
churches; while the Burns monumen
and the Spaulding high school on tn
higher elevation furnish an imprcssiv
background. In view of the fact tina
Barre has not been privileged to hav
planning commission. because the au
thority of law was lacking until re
Gently to create such an agency, it speak
volumes for the foresight of her bushes
men. Few places in Vermont have al
proximated the effort.
Many Vermont municipalities have
however, n remarkable opportunity t
develop civic centers because they hav
within their limits a common or n publ
square. 1t remains to be seen whethe
these open places will be dignifed wit
public buildings or lined with garage
and creameries The responsibility O
those in authority is great and the powe
of the law should be invoked to max
municipal growth orderly and economic
Surely there is need of comprehensive
planning for the future that the erro
of Fulton may not become commonly tn
error of the cities and villages of Ver
mont. Perhaps one of the best Oppol
tunitics lies in Waterbury. In this vi
lage liz an open space upon which ha
, been placed beautiful memorial. Clos
at hand is the Waterbury Inn. One sid
is bounded by the railway passenger stf
, ton. The other buildings in the imm'
date vicinity are, for the most par
wooden structures which will give wa
soon to more substantial types. 1t
an exceptional chance to group eifc'
lively the public buildings which TIL
!, alert village must be dreaming of q
things to be realized in the not distar
: future. 1t will be interesting to moi
. what the years bring forth.
, Brattleboro may be thankful that,
t some measure at least the principles {
y proper municipal Developments have bee
: observed There have been some di
+ tressing errors but future errors in Il
locations of buildings, public or sem
public in character, can be avoided. Ma
h it not be time to have a village plal
g ming board to do here what has been
we'll done by similar boards in the pr
i gressive municipalities OF several Anne
/ lean states?