Edgar M. Lyda Collection

Folder 5
Business Papers - Buncombe County Courthouse and City Building, 1926-1928

"Minutes of the proceedings of a joint meeting held by and between the County and City Commissioners, in the office of the Mayor - Commissioner of Public Accounts and Finances, John H. Cathey . . ."

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"To the President of the Chamber of Commerce," 8/25/1926 [front]

Recommendation states: ". . . That under no circumstances should the plans for the City Hall be accepted nor a step be taken towards its erection until plans for both the City Hall and the Court House shall have been drawn, as for a joint project; and further until the plans for the landscaping of the grounds about both buildings shall have been drawn as for a joint project; and until both City and County Commissions shall have agreed upon and adopted such joint project as the final plan to be executed."

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Gannon, Chairman of the Courthouse Building Commission, discusses the construction of the courthouse for Scioto County, Portsmouth, Ohio. He describes the decoration of the building, including the murals. He notes that his artistic director is the Director of the Cincinnati Art Institute. He offers his assistance in the Asheville deliberations.

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Ellington, an architect, announces his preparation of detailed sketches and plaster models of the county buildings and encloses a number of photographs.

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Greene, a local architect, recommends the hiring of two architects to work on the municipal, one local and one from outside of the area, explaining the advantages to be gained from such a decision.

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Congratulates the Board on their selection of an architect for the County Building.

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Ellington responds to the news that he has not been chosen as architect of the County Building.

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Under "City and County" the following:

"N. C., Asheville -- Buncombe County Board of Commrs. open bids March 31 for fire-proof courthouse and jail; plans to be ready March 4 ; cost $1,3000,000; steel frame.  14 stories, basement and sub-basement.  120 x 130 ft., granite, limestone and marble exterior, ornamental columns on seventh to tenth floors, tile roof, marble, terrazzo and composition floors, metal casement windows, vapor heat, cell work, ventilating, 3 passenger and 1 freight elevator, bronze grill, special equipment, garage in basement, furnishings, equipment, etc., $200,000; Milburn-Heister & Co., Archts., Union Savings Bank Bldg., Washington, D. C. and First Natl. Bank Bldg., Durham. See Want Section  -- Building Materials and Equipment.*"

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"Believe that passage of courthouse bill absolutely essential.  Request immediate introduction stop.  Will see you Wednesday morning."

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"I AM FORWARDING COMMISSION TO YOU AS MEMBER OF ADVISORY COMMISSION ON COUNTY GOVERNMENT PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU CAN ATTEND INITIAL MEETING IN MY OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY MARCH SIXTEENTH AT THREE OCLOCK"

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"HAVE JUST LEFT FINE ARTS COMMISSION AND HAVE ASSURANCE NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN REGARDING ASHEVILLE MATTER AND FURTHER ASSURED WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED BEFORE FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN.  HAVE LETTER FROM ASHEVILLE ARCHITECTS MAILED ME AT ONCE.  WATER COLOR PERSPECTIVE BEING RUSHED AND AM TAKING OTHER ACTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT."

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Copy of above telegram.

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Headlines: "Read 'Em and Weep---With Mayor Cathey" Contains two pictures for the County Courthouse supplied by the Mayor.

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Mithren, of Milburn, Heister & Co., notes that "I am absolutely advised that no further action was taken by the Commission of Fine Arts in connection with the City Hall Court House controversy and was further assured that no further action would be taken until we were advised of such action and given an opportunity to present the matter to the Commission."

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Discusses the design of the new courthouse.

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"WATER COLOR PERSPECTIVE TOO LARGE MAIL HAS GONE BY EXPRESS LETTER PHOTOGRAPHS ARTICLE BY MAIL"

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"CONFERENCE LATE YESTERDAY WITH DOCTOR CHARLES MOORE CHAIRMAN FINE ARTS COMMISSION HE REVIEWED FINAL PERSPECTIVE BUNCOMBE COUNTY COURT HOUSE AND EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT IF THE COLOR MASS AND SHAPE OF THE BUILDINGS WERE HARMINIOUS [sic] THAT WAS ABOUT ALL THAT COULD BE EXPECTED AND THAT HE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT COUNSEL ANYONE TO BUILD TWO SUCH BUILDINGS AS THE CITY BUILDING"

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"Enclosed find herewith bond for excavation project."

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Expresses appreciation for consideration shown in connection with the courthouse project and promises cooperation during construction.

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Directs Gambill's attention to a contractual provision regarding the need to "properly barricade . . . the excavation for the new Court House and Jail [and] the proper illumination of same."

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Handwritten cover letter, in which Sayre asks that Lyda read the accompanying letter.

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Sayre, an architect, writes to Mauran, Chairman of the Committee on Practice, American Institute of Architects.

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Murray, on behalf of Gambill Construction Co., writes in reference to the delivery of estimate checks for the courthouse excavation job.

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Lyda acknowledges receipt of Murray's letter of 12 May 1927, and announces his intention of sending copies to Messrs. Clyde S. Reed and W. H. Anderson.

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Lyda quotes to Reed, of the Asheville Construction Co., the letter of 12 May 1927 received from Gambill Construction Co. .

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Lyda quotes to Anderson, of the Anderson Construction Co., the letter of 12 May 1927 received from Gambill Construction Co. .

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Acknowledges receipt of Lyda's letter of 13 May 1927 and requests that Lyda "kindly hold this check until satisfactory settlement is made.'

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"Retel [sic] today Maryland Casualty acceptable courthouse project"

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"CHAIRMAN BUNCOMBE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ASHEVILLE NCAR CONTRACTORS BIDDING YOUR COURT HOUSE PROJECT WANT TO KNOW IF MARYLAND CASUALTY BID BOND WILL BE ACCEPTABLE PLEASE WIRE OUR EXPENSE"

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Announces that sealed bids for materials, labor and construction of the new Buncombe County Courthouse will be received by the Board of Commissioners at 2:00pm, 1 June 1927.

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Announces that sealed bids for the above mentioned work will be received by the Board of Commissioners at 2:00pm, 1 June 1927.

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A list of bids received by the County Commissioners from construction firms applying for work on municipal building projects.

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Argues that the Washington Commission had not impartially reviewed their case.  States that the Board of Commissioners plan to hold a conference with the Asheville City Planning Commission and the county and city architects.

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List of Buncombe County employees who pledged money for the purchase of memorial chimes.

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List of Buncombe County employees who pledged money for the purchase of memorial chimes.

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