Evening star., 1946-02-17
New City Hall
Being Discussed
|At Alexandria
Budwesky Requested
To Make Report on
Building Prospects

OuIfuin9 TIOSPeCtS
The question of whether to build
a new City Hall or make additions
and alterations to the present struc-
ture is under discussion by members
OF the Alexandria City Council. City
Manager Carl Budwesky has been
asked to give the problem his con-
sideration and present recommends
tions at an early date.
Mr.. Budwesky said yesterday he
is not prepared to make final rec
concentration, but he outlined vari-
Gus angles of the problem.
The City Hall, which occupies half
block on Cameron street between
Fairfax and Royal streets, was con-
structed IN 1871 when the population
was under 10000. With compara-
lively few additions, the building
serves the administrative offices and
courts Of city of over 10000.
Wings to Cost $25O,O0O.
For the last five years. various de-
partments have pointed out they
were unable to function efficiently
because of inadequate space. When
the proposal was made in 1912 to
construct additional wings at the
expense OF the historic country mar
ket, located in the alley adjacent to
the building, protests Immediately
were voiced.
= If the building is to be retained
as the city hall, the market will have
to go in order to permit construction
OF two wings for the police depart
ment on the east and the admin
istrative Offices on the west. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Budwesky, this pro-
ject, in addition to the renovation of
the old structure. which is not fire.
proof, would cost approximately
$3.50 900.
If it is decided to abandon the
building, Mr.. Budwesky said. he will
propose two new buildings. For ap-
proximately $500000 he said, two
municipal buildings could be located
in the northeast section of the city
which, with the recently completed
health center, would constitute a
complete unit.
Suggests Site Near Red Cross.
He has suggested building SIM
liar to the 100000 health center
could be located on North st. Asaph
street above the eastern area Red
Cross buildings to house the police
department and the city courts. The
health center is located Immediately
south of the Red Cross buildings.
Acquisition of the property on
North Washington street in front
of the Red Gross would permit the
construction of another unit to
house all of the administrative Of
fees of the city, Mr.. Budwesky said.
Some of the problems confront
ing city departments in the pres
ent building are as follows: The Of
fees of the city treasurer, city coll
lector, commissioner of revenue and
auditor are on the second floor of
city hall, necessitating steep climb
for those who come to pay bills.
In addition, the Office of sthe COM
missioner of revenue has been han
dicapped by lack of space to such
an extent that 1t has been impos-
sible to get tax bills out on time.
Police Need Room.
pol The police department, on the
Fairfax street side of the building,
is inadequate, both as to space for
the force and cells for prisoners.
The Civil and Police Court, located
above the police department, is less
crowded since the juvenile and pro-
baton work has been removed,
but the Juvenile Court has no quar-
ters at all and is attempting to
function in Judge Marion Vests
private law offices.
The Recreation Department,
established in 1943, is located in a
renovated market on the main floor,
while the Office of the real estate
assessor and the Board of Educa-
tion are housed in rented space
elsewhere in the city. Other offices
located in cramped quarters in City
Hall include those of the electrical,
plumbing and building inspectors,
the city registrar. the Corporation
Court and its clerks offices, the
Engineering Department, City Man.
ager and the Alexandria, Washing
ton Masonic lodgeroom.
The Department of Public We'll
fare, on the Cameron street side of
the building, recently has been reno
waited and is one of the few ade-
quate Offices in the building. The
City Council room, the most recent
addition, is also modern.
Budwesky to Move.
Mr.. Budwesky said he plans to
move his own Office almost imme-
diately in order to permit the ex-
of the commissioner of
revenues Office, but he has not
planned where it is to be located.
The space recently vacated by the
Health Department will be utilized.
but plans have not been made for
its permanent occupancy as space
is required for new city managers
office, a juvenile court and an Office
for the recently appointed smoke
engineer.
At an informal session of the
City Council held recently, the vote
is reported to have been seven to
two in favor of new building. Any
plan to add two wings to the pres
ent building at the sacrifice of the
old country market is expected to
bring renewed protests from resi-
dents. who consider the market one
of the city's historic landmarks.
A1@x~.l.:~