Chapter 537.
807 words·~4 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-26/chapter-537-3575404·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 537.— An act for the erection of a new customhouse in the city of New York, and for other purposes.March 3, 1891. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,New York customhouse. Site. That there shall be erected in the city of New York a new customhouse, on the site which has been selected and designated therefor by the Secretary of Vol. 25, p. 479.the Treasury, under the terms of an act entitled “An act for the erection of an appraiser’s warehouse in the city of New York, and for other purposes,” approved September fourteenth, eighteen *Ante* p. 183.hundred and eighty-eight, and any act or acts amendatory thereof, at a cost not to exceed the amount which shall be derived under section two of this act, in addition to any sum or sums which may be aPlans, etc.vailable under the provisions of said act; and the Secretary of the Treasury shall cause plans and estimates to be made by the Supervising Architect of the Treasury for the erection of said new customhouse building.
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorizedSale of old customhouse. and directed to sell at public auction, or at private sale after due advertisement, to the highest bidder, but for not less than four million of dollars, the present customhouse property in the city of New York, bounded by Wall, William and Hanover streets and Proceeds appropriated tor new building.Exchange Place. The proceeds of such sale, after the payment of FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Sess. II.
Chs. 537, 538. 1891.851 the usual incidental expenses and commissions, shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States and is hereby appropriated and made available for the purpose of constructing the new customhouse building as herein and hereby provided; and in case of such sale the Secretary of the Treasury shall lease said premises from the purchaserLease of old until completion of new building. or purchasers thereof, at a rental which shall not exceed four per centum per annum on the purchase price, for use as a customhouse until the new customhouse shall be ready for occupancy, upon such terms as he may deem advantageous, and such sale shall be subject to such right of lease; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to sell said customhouse property and receive the purchase price in several payments from time to time, as he may deem most advantageous: *Provided, however*, That the use, occupation*Proviso*.
Not to be surrendered until new building ready, etc. and possession of said property shall not be surrendered until the new customhouse is ready for occupation, and the final payment is fully made. Sec. 3. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorizedCommission to be appointed. to appoint live citizens of the State of New York who shall be designated as United States building commissioners, and who shall be charged with the erection and construction of the new customhouse building, as herein provided for.
And such commissioners. or a majority of them, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall have full power to advertise for proposals forProposals for building. contracts for the erection of said customhouse, or the several parts thereof; and the offers in response to such proposals, if they shall not exceed in the aggregate the amount available under this act for the completion of said customhouse, and if they shall be otherwise satisfactory to said commissioners and to the Secretary of the Treasury. shall be accepted, in whole or in part; but in case such offer’s May purchase material and build, if bids unsatisfactory.shall exceed said limits of cost, or be otherwise unsatisfactory, then said commissioners or a majority of them shall have full power and authority to purchase all materials, contract for and employ all necessary labor, including skilled and professional services, with or without advertisement; and said Secretary shall fix a fair and reasonable compensation for the services of such commissioners, to be Compensation.paid out of any appropriation or appropriations for the construction of said new customhouse.
Sec. 4. That no appropriation is made by this bill in addition toLimit of amount available. the sum or sums already appropriated, or available tor this purpose under the provisions of an act entitled “An act for the erection of anVol. 25, p. 479. appraisers warehouse in the city of New York.and for other purposes,” approved September fourteenth, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, and any act, or acts amendatory thereof, together with the sum or sums to be derived from the sale of the present customhouse property in the city of New York, as herein provided.
Sec. 5. That all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. Approved, March 3, 1891.