New Britain herald., 1926-03-03
\ CITY HALL IN NORTHERN DISTRICT

Residents Of tho northern section of tho city particularly of the Fifth ward are responsible for tho revival Of rather ancient plan 10 move tho city hall from its present location to the hand on which tho obsolete Burrilt school now stands,
 A long memory is not rs-~ired 10 recall sporadic attempts to build up public sentiment in favor Of the change in sites but none of them has received moro than passing in- Dnrrs'. Mayor paonrssa Is one Of those who now wish 10 have the new city hWIlIng, and there are several organizations In the Fifth ward which have publicly pro claimed that they arc willing 10 work 10 thr same cnd,
 I' is doubtful whether they will arNj"}o their objective, for several reasons. Tn" principal one Is ob- }ious - the present city hall though not new is well built and has plenty ot room 10 take care for several years Of civic growth, r .s questionable whether il would be advisable 10 arbitrarily change tho location of the city building, removing it from tho point which has come 10 mean tho central To- ca.ou m. which is much nearer fIc post office and most Of the banks. Certainly its removal would b. an unnecessary expense.
 This being so the question arises 0s 10 what is 10 become of the Hurriu school property. Quite properly indeed, the residents Of the north end have objected 10 its un- sighflinrss, Probably one of the strongest motives in asking for the municipal building has been the wish to place new, handsome, public building on the spot, We can thoroughly sympathizc with the citizens who wish to improve the appearances of their sections.
 Immediately it occurs, it being in cArcdiont to change the location of the city hall. that it might be q good plan to consider ways and means of building q large public auditorium, q memorial to Spanish and World War veterans, if you will, on the school site. The time is coming when the city will be in need of an auditorium of large di- mansions. where civic organizations may hold meetings. for conventions, muscaos and all Of the thousand anl one gatherings for which there is now no place available. That time will arrive, if it has not at this minute, or at least much sooner than the time when the present city hall will be obsolete. A memorial, Of one sort or another, has often been discussed and some day will be- come Il reality; it might as well be l memorial auditorium aa a shaft or statuo in a public park,
 4 handsome building at the junc- turc Of Main and East Main street would not only set off the surround inEs but would make an imposing display in itself due to the broad scope Of observation offered from several directions. IL would prove costly, of course, but would probably be somewhat sclf-supporling. There is q large frontage upon both Main and East Main streets, some oi which might bc available for stores Interior arrangements could be SC planned that recreation rooms ana club rooms for semi-pubic organi- cations could be supplied.
 Surely the expenditure Of a mil.
 lion dollars for something which would be an improvement to thC district q thing Of beauty in itself and which Is needed, would be moro just than the spending Of a million for a city building, which might b' | just as handsome, just as much al improvement but which is no needed and will not be for many years to come.
 w. do not believe in moving th' city hall, under any circumstances aud do not believe that an artistic auditorium built on the Bwrit school site would prove an asset tC i tu, city.