Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-09
CDUNTfB0tD|NG
design APPROVED
Grecian.Ionic Type of Archi-
lecture Given Exterior of
2 Rockville Structure.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
star CORRESPONDENT Of The Star.

stan Correspondent Of The star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd, November g.
! with the approval last night Of an
exterior design for the proposed new
building here to house the county gov
eminent activities and which Is to
increase the facilities in the present
courthouse, the courthouse building
committee at the same time gave in
structions to the architect, Rossel Ed
preparation Of working drawings and
specifications. The committee just a
week ago approved the proposed floor
plan of the new building.
The design finally approved was de-
scribed by Mr.. Mitchell as the Grecian-
Ionic type Of architecture. It Is very
similar In appearance TO the north front
Of the United States Treasury Building
In washington, having center proJec-
ton, with two connecting extensions
and two projecting wings. The princi-
pal difference between the Treasury
Building and the proposed county build
ing design is that there will not be any
central entrance steps on the exterior.
There will be three door openings at
the street level, but there viii be eight
columns in the central projection for
second and third story The fourth
story. which Is to be the county jail,
win be partially hidden by a parapet
wall. There also will be street-level
entrances on the two projecting wings.
The central wing win have gable
frontispiece on the top. The supple
mental designs submitted yesterday pro-
vided for a Superstructure over this
gable, but this was ordered removed by
the building committee.
Similarity in Design.
The designs submitted yesterday did
not differ materially from the original
exterior design submitted week ago,
when orders were issued for the Gre
alton of something which would give a
more massive appearance to the build
ing. This was accomplished by the
architect by the sacrifice of artificial
light in the Offices of the proposed new
structure. A number of windows were
ordered eliminated for the purpose Of
showing more wall space, to give q
bulky appearance to the building. AS
reiesigned the wings will have only
three windows en- floor, fronting on
the main street.
1t is not planned, it was learned yes
terday. to build the entire structure, as
designed, at this time. The present
courthouse building will be left stand
ing and will form the east wing of the
structure. When completed, 1t was as
serted, it will leave the red brick build
ing connected as wing to the modern,
white stone front. It was explained that
there is not sufficient money available
with which to construct the entire
building in the original project and for
that reason the old structure will be
allowed to remain, even after the pres
!. ent governmental activities housed In
the old courthouse are removed to the
new building upon completion. The re-
manning wing, which will supplant the
present court building, viii not be con-
structed, according to Lacy Shaw, vice
president of the board Of Montgomery
County commissioners, until there Is
public demand for it. This public de-
niand would have to be followed by an
authorization by the 1881 session OF the
Maryland legislature of additional
funds sufficient for the construction.
Other county officials were open In their
criticism of this plan to leave the pres
eft courthouse standing as a part Of
the new structure.
Months for Preparation.
The preparation of the working draw
irlgs and specifications in accordance
with the floor plans and exterior de-
sign already approved win take at least
three more months, according to Mr..
Mitchell. It Is not planned to have an
other meeting of the building commit
tee until that time, it was said, as 1t
adjourned to meet on call Of the chair
man, DR.. Benjamin G. Perry who also
Commissioners. It will be near the end
Of February before the construction de-
tails are completed by the architect.
Advertisement for bids for the erection
Of the building would take more time,
and it is probable the actual construc-
ton viii not get under way until well
into the Summer months
In the meantime acquisition Of the
land in the square west of the present
site of the courthouse will be pushed to
conclusion. None Of it has actually been
purchased, although agreements have
been reached with the owners to sell 1t
to the county at private sale, thus avoid
ing the delays incident to condemna-
ton. Action also win have to be taken
by the town officials of Rockville for the
closing OF Court street, which separates
the courthouse site from the square west
which Is to be included in the new site.
Sufficient time win have TO be allowed
for occupants Of buildings on the new
addition to the site to vacate, and the
structures will have to be RACED.
The new building Is to be set back
from the main street 90 feet, It was
said, with a terraced walkway leading
not only to the main entrance, but also
to the two wing entrances. There will
be three entrance doors in the center
projection, and one each in the wings.
only one Of which. is to be completed
IN the project now planned to be erected
next Summer.
The final exterior design for the
building will not be studied by the
building committee, as the architect
was given instructions as to what
changes to make In the design sub
mitted last night, and this will be done
: without further reference to the
committee.