Smyrna times., 1931-01-14
STATE HOUSE PLANS, DOVER
Committee Makes Report on An
Attractive Layout for State and
Future Government Buildings

For several years past the need
for more space for almost every
branch Of the State Government at
Dover has been apparent to every
one familiar with the conditions.
The State officers carry on work
in a business-like manner and re-
quire not only room but modern
equipment in order to do it. The
Governor felt that additional room
was absolutely essential but that
no building should be done without
the matter being first carefully
thought over from every angle. In
the Summer of 1929, he therefore
requested a committee consisting
of Mrs. Henry Ridgely Of Dover,
H. Rodney Sharp of Wilmington,
Harry L. Cannon Of Bridgeville,
and w. W. Harrington of Dover,
to consider the matter and to re-
port to him before the convening
of the General Assembly in 1881
The problem as this Committee
saw it could not be met by the
erection of a single building. First:
Because at the present rate at
which the business of the State is
increasing, any such building
would be out of harmony with the
architecture and history of the old
Green and the State House facing
thereon. The Committee recon-
mended: First: That the State i'm
mediately acquire a block of land
to the East of the present State
property and lying between the
property and the creek. Second
That this land be laid out into a
park and that it be suggested to
the present General Assembly that
funds for the cost of a building to
house the State Legislature and to
be erected on the lands above re-
ferred to be provided for by that
body at its present session. In
this park there will also be room
for other State Buildings that
would undoubtedly be needed to
take care of the various depart
ments Of Government in the State
The scheme suggested is an eco
nomical and elastic one and gives
a practical answer to the States
needs for expansion and has great
possibility for beauty and fitness
1t is entirely practical and mod
ern; many counties and states
having concluded that group OF
buildings is more practical ir
every respect at the present time
than one large building. The plar
suggested should be Of interest tc
every citizen of the State and il
in order that it may be more clear.
ly understood, models have beer
made by an eminent and exper.
fenced architect These models
are being displayed at various
places throughout the State anC
one is in the rotunda in the State
House and another in the Hote
dupont. These models not only
show the proposed park and legis
lation building, but also show sug
gested buildings to be erected from
time to time in future years with
out destroying the balance of sym
metry of what it is proposed Il
erect at this time While the pres
ent Legislature will be asked Il
acnliire sufficient land for all prec
ent and possible future needs O.
the State, they will merely be ask
ed to provide for the erection O.
one building. That building woulC
be for the purpose of housing sub
sequent General Assemblies will
adequate committee rooms, etc
If the plan is approved, subsequen
Legislatures will be asked to carr,
it on though a little at a time anC
if it seems practical.