lhouette of the Borough Hall and its cupola. Should
the Borough Hall be ultimately removed, the axis may be controlled by
a central feature of monumental or commemorative character. The
converging lines of the lower cornice of the buildings, of the curbs
and of the lamp posts, carry the eye forward to this motif and to the
facade of the court house.
Co-operation between the architect selected for the municipal building
and the United States Supervising Architect should be urged, so that
this building and the Post Office will be harmonious in architectural
character.
Various monuments and architectural details are suggested on the
plans. They must all be in harmony and in scale with one another and
with the buildings. Their setting must be carefully studied in detail.
The placing and proportioning of balustrades, of pools of water, of
grass plots and in particular of trees must be done in the finest way,
as it is only by a careful attention to all these details that this
group can be brought into harmony of high order in keeping with its
importance.
[Illustration: _View from Borough Hall toward Brooklyn Bridge showing
proposed Municipal Building_]
The spaces surrounding the public buildings, where not needed for
circulation, should be parked and trees should be planted wherever
they will serve to enhance the buildings, screen undesirable objects,
at the same time not interfering with business interests. The same
variety of tree should be planted throughout and should not exceed 25
to 30 feet in height.
Of almost equal importance is the question of lamp posts--their
height, design, spacing and fixtures. It is suggested that this be
exhaustively studied in the light of modern invention so as to make of
the streets and open spaces involved, a model for other parts of the
city.
The paving of these streets and open spaces also should be perfect.
Creosoted wood block is recommended for its all round qualities.
The above recommendations, if carried into effect, will contribute to
making this entrance to Brooklyn harmonious and impressive. The
studies submitted in plan and perspective should be understood to be
only general suggestions along the lines indicated.
CONSIDERATION IN DETAIL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VARIOUS BUILDINGS
_Court House:_
The courts and allied departments, at present situated in the old
court house building, in the Borough Hall, in the Hall of Records and
in rented quarters, which
|