100-595: New York City Hall is the seat of New York City government , located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan , between Broadway , Park Row , and Chambers Street . Constructed from 1803 to 1812, the building is the oldest city hall in the United States that still houses its original governmental functions. The building houses the office of the Mayor of New York City and
200-455: A ship chandler firm with Francis Secor and Joseph Scoville, but the business failed during the Panic of 1837 . He soon opened a bar using his wife's dowry, which he was forced to close because business was so poor. In later years, after parting ways politically, Scoville accused Wood of overcharging drunken bar patrons. Despite his business failures, Wood was successful in politics. He joined
300-518: A New York City surveyor in 1795 and publishing an official map of the city in 1803 that was largely discredited for its inaccuracies. Mangin later served as the architect of the landmarked St. Patrick's Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street. McComb, whose father had worked on the old City Hall, was a New Yorker and designed Castle Clinton in Battery Park, among other buildings and structures. Mangin had no known involvement with City Hall after winning
400-576: A Tammany Hall ally, signaled approval of Locofocoism. At a meeting later that month, the general Tammany organization voted in favor of Wood's motion to oust the Bank Democrats from the organization. Wood received a host of organization promotions. In October 1840, Wood's rise culminated with a nomination for the United States House of Representatives at just 28 years old. At this time, New York City elected its four members of
500-446: A comprehensive statement of the expense and capital budget priorities and needs, evaluate the progress of capital developments and the quality and quantity of services provided by agencies, and otherwise consider the needs of the borough. Each of the fifty-nine community districts has a community board composed of up to 50 volunteer members appointed by the local borough president , half from nominations by Council members representing
600-469: A courtesy extended to elected officials and their guests. As a result of the security breach, then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg revised security policy to require that everyone entering the building pass through metal detectors without exception. In 2008, work began on a restoration of the building, after a century without a major renovation. The construction included structural enhancements, upgrades to building services, as well as in-depth restoration of much of
700-523: A four-year term, whose duty it is to prosecute all crimes and offenses cognizable by the courts of the county. There is also a sixth DA, the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Narcotics , who is unelected, but appointed by the five elected DAs. The Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library are public library systems within their respective boroughs. The New York Public Library
800-435: A grand marble stairway rising up to the second floor, where ten fluted Corinthian columns support the coffered dome, which was added in a 1912 restoration by Grosvenor Atterbury . The rotunda has been the site of municipal as well as national events. Abraham Lincoln 's coffin was placed on the staircase landing across the rotunda when he lay in state in 1865 after his assassination . Ulysses S. Grant also lay in state beneath
900-399: A long flight of steps, has figured prominently in civic events for over a century and a half. There is a columned entrance portico capped by a balustrade , and another balustrade at the roof. The domed tower in the center was rebuilt in 1917 after the last of two major fires. The original Massachusetts marble facade, quarried from Alford, Massachusetts , and complemented with brownstone on
1000-470: A maximum of 950–1150 registered voters). The law also allows the election of assembly district leaders. The political parties' county executive committees typically select candidates for local offices, to be ratified by the full county committees. Many small parties do not have county committees and designate candidates at the state level. The political parties' judicial nominating conventions select candidate New York Supreme Court justices. Candidates for
1100-523: A mayor who has become unable to serve. There are also numerous commissions, boards, tribunals and offices that are independent of the mayor's office. Legislative power in the City of New York is vested in the New York City Council . The New York State Constitution empowers local governments to adopt local laws in addition to ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations. The Council
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#17327984451791200-472: A one-vote plurality in the primary, but fell short of the required majority. Moore withdrew in favor of McKeon, who had lost the nomination in his original district. McKeon won, and Wood covertly undermined him in the general election, invoking McKeon's Irish heritage and suggesting McKeon was a secret abolitionist. McKeon lost to Whig Hamilton Fish . In need of funds and expecting his first child, Wood left politics after 1842 to reopen his ship chandler firm on
1300-492: A platform of charter reform, in defiance of a one-term tradition. The general election campaign was marked by personal attacks and street violence committed by the various political gangs in the city. On election day, Wood furloughed or relieved many police officers of duty, allowing his own gang, the Dead Rabbits , to menace voters and steal ballot boxes. He won the race with 44.6% of the vote, though he trailed Buchanan by
1400-506: A powerful central executive and his campaign for greater home rule for New York City came to define the city's politics for generations. He embarked on several large spending programs, including modernizing the city's wharfs by replacing wooden structures with stone, new safety features for the city's railways, construction of the already-planned Central Park , and expansion of the city's grid plan . Attempts to crack down on vice were largely abandoned for political and practical reasons. Wood
1500-453: A series of successful purchases in nearly every ward of Manhattan. William Tweed later said of Wood, "I never yet went to get a corner lot that I didn't find Wood had got in ahead of me." In 1852, Wood expanded his holdings to San Francisco . By 1855, his growing fortune was estimated at $ 200,000; in 1861, $ 500,000. Wood himself reported personal holdings of $ 1,200,000 at the 1860 census ($ 40,693,333 in 2023 dollars). In October 1848, in
1600-505: A wide margin due to fractures in the city party. Despite his evident abuse of police powers and encouragement of violence, a grand jury declined to indict Wood on the grounds that such practices were common in the city's history and at the time. In Wood's second term, his control over Tammany Hall unraveled and his handling of the police force boiled over in the New York City Police riot and Dead Rabbits riot . In April,
1700-599: Is John Trumbull 's 1805 portrait of Alexander Hamilton , the source of the face on the United States ten-dollar bill . There were significant efforts to restore the paintings in the 1920s and 1940s. In 2006, a new restoration campaign began for 47 paintings identified by the Art Commission as highest in priority. Official receptions are held in the Governor's Room, which has hosted many dignitaries including
1800-414: Is a unicameral body consisting of 51 Council members, whose districts are defined by geographic population boundaries that each contain approximately 157,000 people. Council members are elected every four years, except that after every census held in years divisible by twenty, districts are redrawn, requiring two consecutive two-year terms, the second of which is held in the redrawn districts. The Speaker of
1900-478: Is a unicameral body consisting of 51 members, each elected from a geographic district , normally for four-year terms. Primary elections for local offices use ranked choice voting , while general elections use plurality voting . All elected officials are subject to a two consecutive-term limit . The court system consists of two citywide courts and three statewide courts. New York City's government employs approximately 330,000 people, more than any other city in
2000-467: Is a private, non-governmental library serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, that receives government funding. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides public housing for low- and moderate-income residents. NYC Health + Hospitals (New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, or HHC) operates public hospitals and clinics. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
2100-490: Is carried on NYC Media channel 74, a City Government-access television (GATV) official cable TV channel. Fencing surrounds the building's perimeter, with a strong security presence by the New York City Police Department and other security. Public access to the building is restricted to tours and to those with specific business appointments. On the inside, the rotunda is a soaring space with
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#17327984451792200-616: Is more evident in the interior design. The design of City Hall influenced at least two later civic structures, the Tweed Courthouse and the Surrogate's Courthouse immediately to the north. City Hall is a New York City designated landmark . It is also listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places . The building consists of a central pavilion with two projecting wings. The entrance, reached by
2300-548: Is superior to the older forms of municipal legislation such as ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations. The codified local laws of New York City are contained in the New York City Administrative Code . The Council has several committees with oversight of various functions of the city government. Each council member sits on at least three standing, select or subcommittees. The standing committees meet at least once per month. The Speaker of
2400-418: Is the chief executive officer of the city and a magistrate , appoints and removes all unelected officers and exercises all the powers vested in the city except otherwise provided by law, and is responsible for the effectiveness and integrity of city government operations. The mayor is directly elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The mayor is also responsible for creating the city's budget through
2500-779: Is the city's economic development corporation . The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) manages the New York City Subway and MTA Regional Bus Operations through its arm the New York City Transit Authority . Despite this name, the NYCTA, like the rest of the MTA, was created by the New York State Legislature as a public-benefit corporation , which the legislature and governor of New York control. The MTA also operates
2600-539: The American Revolution . "1625", the date at the bottom, was chosen to emphasize the city's Dutch roots but has been characterized as "arbitrary" and "simply wrong" by notable city historians (New Amsterdam was actually settled in 1624). The flag of New York City was adopted in 1915. Its blue, white, and orange bands represent the colors of the Dutch flag that flew over the city, then New Amsterdam, between
2700-793: The BMT Broadway Line , albeit on the western side of City Hall and not directly under it. This station was built in 1918 for the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT). Other nearby, open subway stations are Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall/Chambers Street ( 4 , 5 , 6 , <6> , J , and Z trains) and Chambers Street–World Trade Center/Park Place/Cortlandt Street ( 2 , 3 , A , C , E , N , R , and W trains). Google Maps uses New York City Hall as
2800-608: The Civic Center . Most of the neighborhood consists of government offices (city, state, and federal), as well as an increasing number of upscale residential dwellings being converted from older commercial structures. Architectural landmarks surround City Hall, including St. Paul's Chapel , St. Peter's Church , the Home Life Building , the Rogers Peet Building , and the Woolworth Building to
2900-649: The East River , announcing to his friends that he was "entirely out of politics." To accrue necessary capital, Wood begged Henry A. Wise for a patronage appointment as the State Department's local despatch agent, despite previously having tried to abolish the role when he was a congressman. Though Secretary of State Abel Upshur refused, he was soon killed in an accident aboard the USS Princeton and succeeded by John C. Calhoun, who granted Wood
3000-475: The Marquis de Lafayette and Albert Einstein . The building's Governor's Room hosted President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The Governor's Room, which is used for official receptions, also houses one of the most important collections of 19th-century American portraiture and notable artifacts such as George Washington 's desk. Other notable rooms include: The area around City Hall is commonly referred to as
3100-604: The National Register of Historic Places . The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated both City Hall's exterior and interior as official city landmarks in 1966 and 1976, respectively. New Amsterdam 's first City Hall was built by the Dutch Republic in the 17th century near present-day 73 Pearl Street . The first structure was demolished in 1690. The city's second City Hall, built in 1700, stood on Wall and Nassau Streets . That building
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3200-787: The New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget , submitted for approval, not drafting, to the Council. Along with the mayor, the Public Advocate and the Comptroller are the only three directly elected citywide officials in New York City. The Public Advocate is an elected official with responsibility to ease public relations with the government, investigate complaints regarding city agencies, mediate disputes between city agencies and citizens, serve as
3300-729: The Staten Island Railway within Staten Island, as well as the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad , both of which are commuter lines that have termini in the city but run largely in the suburban counties of New York State and Connecticut. Other regional transportation is managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey , including the bridges and tunnels between New York City and New Jersey, and all airports and seaports within
3400-591: The World Trade Center to the west. Pace University 's New York City campus is located across Park Row from City Hall. Located directly under City Hall Park is the former City Hall subway station, the original southern terminal of the first service of the New York City Subway built by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT). Opened on October 27, 1904, this station beneath the public area in front of City Hall
3500-568: The zero-mile point from which distances from New York City are measured. Government of New York City The government of New York City , headquartered at New York City Hall in Lower Manhattan , is organized under the New York City Charter and provides for a mayor-council system . The mayor is elected to a four-year term and is responsible for the administration of city government. The New York City Council
3600-534: The 1620s and 1660s. Located in the center is a blue print of the official Seal of New York City minus its Latin motto. There are two official variants of the New York City flag. The Mayor's Office version adds an arc of five five-pointed stars (representing each of the five boroughs) in blue above the seal, and the Councilmanic version adds the word "COUNCIL" in blue below the seal. Fernando Wood Fernando Wood (June 14, 1812 – February 13, 1881)
3700-432: The Bronx is Bronx County, Manhattan is New York County, Queens is Queens County, and Staten Island is Richmond County. When New York City was consolidated into its present form in 1898, all previous town and county governments within it were abolished in favor of the present five boroughs and a unified, centralized city government. However, each county retains its own district attorney to prosecute crimes, and most of
3800-600: The Brooklyn Navy Yard. Wood was also a staunch backer of federal subsidies for Samuel F.B. Morse 's experimental telegraph. He was a vocal opponent of protectionist tariffs proposed by House Ways and Means chairman Millard Fillmore . Wood also lobbied the U.S. State Department for protections for Irish political prisoners, some of whom were naturalized Americans, whom the British forcibly resettled on Tasmania . Wood expected to run for re-election in 1842, but
3900-538: The City of New York". Eboracum was the Roman name for York, the titular seat of James II as Duke of York . The two supporters represent the unity between Native Americans and colonists, the four windmill sails recall the city's Dutch history as New Amsterdam , and the beavers and flour barrels the city's earliest trade goods (see History of New York City ). The crest over the seal is the American eagle , added after
4000-534: The Council, selected by the 51 Council members, is often considered the second most powerful post in New York City's government after the Mayor. Bills passed by a simple majority are sent to the mayor, who may sign them into law. If the mayor vetoes a bill, the Council has 30 days to override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote. A local law has a status equivalent with a law enacted by the New York State Legislature (subject to certain exceptions and restrictions ), and
4100-573: The Council, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader are all ex officio members of every committee. Prior to 1990, the city also had a powerful Board of Estimate , a unique legislative-executive hybrid. Although it could not pass laws, it shared authority for the city budget with the council and controlled functions such as land use, municipal contracts, franchises, and water and sewer rates. The Board's membership consisted of
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4200-531: The Criminal Court and Civil Court, respectively.) The Family Court of the State of New York is a family court that hears cases involving children and families. The Surrogate's Court of the State of New York is the probate court which oversees the probate of wills and administers estates. New York City is composed of five boroughs or counties, collectively comprising 59 community districts. Each of
4300-544: The Criminal Court and the Civil Court, and several statewide courts, the Supreme Court, Surrogate's Court, and Family Court. Unlike the rest of New York, New York City counties do not have a typical County Court. Each statewide court is located in each of New York City's five counties (boroughs). There are also numerous extrajudicial administrative courts such as OATH , which are executive agencies and not part of
4400-479: The December 1857 election, Tammany joined with Republicans and Know-Nothings in endorsing Daniel F. Tiemann over Wood. The economic devastation of the Panic of 1857 dominated the campaign, and Wood pursued public works programs to provide jobs and food for the city's poor citizens. Wood was denied a third successive term by a narrow margin of 3,000 votes. Wood served a third mayoral term in 1860 and 1861. Wood
4500-551: The House on a single ticket. Wood campaigned on Anglophobic themes to appeal to Irish voters in the city, suggesting that "British stockjobbers" funded the Whig campaign in gold. He engaged in a war of words with New York American editor Charles King , who revealed that Wood had been found liable for $ 2,143.90 in overdraft fees after he fraudulently withdrew from his bank on the basis of a bookkeeping error. In response, Wood published
4600-719: The Locofocos formed an independent Equal Rights Party, Wood remained in the Tammany organization, gaining promotion into the organization's Young Men's Committee and becoming its organizing force. However, following the Panic of 1837 and a Locofoco food riot , Wood worked to advance radical anti-bank politics within the Young Men's Committee. Wood's move was politically prescient; in September 1837, President Martin Van Buren ,
4700-462: The Mayor, and numerous departments, boards and commissions. The Mayor also appoints several deputy mayors to head major offices within the executive branch of the city government. The City Record is the official journal published each weekday (except legal holidays) containing legal notices produced by city agencies, and regulations are compiled in the Rules of the City of New York . The Mayor
4800-488: The New York City district was split into four separate districts by a congressional mandate. Wood lived in the new fifth district , also home to popular incumbent John McKeon . To avoid facing McKeon in a primary, Wood relocated to a strong Whig district, the sixth , where instead he faced incumbent James I. Roosevelt and former Congressman Ely Moore for the Democratic nomination. After Roosevelt withdrew, Wood won
4900-587: The New York state and local courts' total filings. There are also several extrajudicial administrative courts, e.g. the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) adjudicates matters for city agencies unless otherwise provided for by law, and the city Parking Violations Bureau adjudicates parking violations. The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial court of general jurisdiction , which in New York City hears felony cases and major civil cases. (Lesser criminal and civil cases are heard in
5000-709: The Public Buildings and Grounds Committee. He sought out the mentorship of Henry Clay , who had become estranged from the Whigs over his break with President John Tyler, and Southern Democrats like John C. Calhoun , Henry A. Wise , and James K. Polk . Wood's voting record was markedly pro-Southern and pro-slavery, more so than any other New York congressman. On economic issues, Wood was an orthodox Democrat, favoring hard money , deflation, and free trade. However, he supported federal funding in New York, including appropriations for harbor improvements, fortifications, and
5100-587: The Republican legislature passed a new City Charter which truncated Wood's current term to one year, a Police Reform Act dissolving Wood's Municipal police in favor of a Metropolitan state unit, and an Excise Act implementing restrictive liquor licensing throughout the state. Wood committed himself to resisting the Police Reform Act and maintaining his own Municipal police, culminating in a police riot and Wood's orchestrated arrest on June 16 . In
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#17327984451795200-408: The Republican state legislature, leading to a charter revision that prematurely ended his second term in office and resulted in his arrest. He returned to the mayor's office for a final term in 1860. After leaving the mayor's office, Wood was elected to several more terms in the House of Representatives, where he served for sixteen years. In his final two terms in that office, he served as chairman of
5300-411: The United States and more than any U.S. state but three: California , Texas , and New York . The city government is responsible for public education, correctional institutions, public safety, recreational facilities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services. New York City consists of five boroughs , each coextensive with one of five counties of New York State : Brooklyn is Kings County,
5400-409: The appointment on May 8, 1844. With his government job as a subsidy and political power base, Wood expanded his business and rented a new home in upper Manhattan with three servants. Except for his efforts on behalf of presidential nominee James K. Polk and in defense of his own patronage position, he remained largely outside politics. In advance of the 1844 Democratic National Convention , which
5500-473: The case, Wood maintained his innocence and brought a libel suit against the New York Sun for prematurely printing details of Marvine's deposition. In the words of biographer Jerome Mushkat, Mayor Wood was "a unique figure, New York's first modern mayor, a city builder, and the prototype for later municipal leaders, a man who anticipated much of what became the urban Progressive Movement." His mayoralty
5600-408: The chambers of the New York City Council . While the Mayor's Office is in the building, the staff of thirteen municipal agencies under mayoral control are located in the nearby Manhattan Municipal Building , one of the largest government buildings in the world, with many others housed in various buildings in the immediate vicinity. New York City Hall is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on
5700-417: The city's ombudsman and advise the mayor on community relations. The Public Advocate is a member of the Council. The Public Advocate stands first in line of succession to the mayoralty. The Comptroller conducts performance and financial audits of all city agencies, serves as a fiduciary to the city's five public pension funds totaling nearly $ 160 billion in assets, provides comprehensive oversight of
5800-414: The city's budget and fiscal condition, reviews city contracts for integrity, accountability and fiscal compliance, manages the fair, efficient and effective resolution of claims against the city, ensures transparency and accountability in the prevailing wage rate-setting process and enforces prevailing wage and living wage laws. The Comptroller stands second, after the Public Advocate, in the line to succeed
5900-479: The city. The Port Authority is an interstate compact operating agency jointly controlled by the Governor of New Jersey and Governor of New York . State Election Law defines the structure of political parties. It requires each party to have a state committee and allows them to organize county committees. The county committees are composed of at least two members elected from each election district (containing
6000-427: The citywide offices of mayor, comptroller and public advocate are designated jointly by the five county executive committees of each party. In most cases, insurgents who are party members can challenge party-designated candidates by petitioning for a primary election . The seal of New York City , adopted in an earlier form in 1686, bears the legend SIGILLVM CIVITATIS NOVI EBORACI , which means simply "The Seal of
6100-471: The commission. McComb alone supervised every aspect of construction and was in charge of the architectural modifications and detailing during the extended building process. The cornerstone of the new City Hall was laid on May 26, 1803. Construction was delayed after the City Council objected that the design was too extravagant. In response, McComb reduced the size of the building and used brownstone at
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#17327984451796200-420: The community district ( i.e. , whose council districts cover part of the community district). Community boards advise on land use and zoning, participate in the city budget process, and address service delivery in their district. Community boards act in an advisory capacity, wielding no official authority to make or enforce laws. Each of the five counties of New York City elects a district attorney (DA) for
6300-554: The court system is organized around the counties. New York City is divided between two federal judicial districts. Bronx County and New York County are in the Southern District while Kings County, Queens County, and Richmond County are in the Eastern District , although both districts have concurrent jurisdiction over the waters in their respective districts. The executive branch of New York City consists of
6400-662: The early stages of the California Gold Rush , Wood and four other partners chartered a barque , the John C. Cater , to sell goods and equipment in San Francisco. The goods were sold at inflated prices, and the Cater maintained a profitable trade transporting passengers and lumber between Oregon and San Francisco. It was later discovered that Wood defrauded his brother-in-law, Edward E. Marvine, in order to obtain
6500-473: The family frequently: from Philadelphia to Shelbyville, Kentucky ; New Orleans ; Havana, Cuba ; Charleston, South Carolina ; and finally New York City , where he opened a tobacconist store in 1821. The business failed by 1829 and Benjamin Wood left for Charleston, where he died two years later, impoverished and alone. In New York, Fernando enrolled in a private academy run by James Shea of Columbia College. He
6600-422: The five boroughs has an elected borough president . The borough presidents can have legislation introduced in the council, recommend capital projects, hold public hearings on matters of public interest, make recommendations to the mayor and to other city officials, make recommendations on land use and planning, and make recommendations regarding the performance of contracts providing for the delivery of services, in
6700-513: The former President's son, John Van Buren , became Wood's political rival for the next two decades. After the nomination went to dark horse James K. Polk , Wood renewed their friendship and launched into a campaign for Polk in New York City, New Jersey, and the Southern Tier . Wood used his political connections to Polk to save his patronage job under new Secretary of State James Buchanan . Wood massively expanded his wealth by entering
6800-497: The interests of the people of their borough. Each of the five boroughs has a borough board . They are composed of the borough president , Council members from the borough, and the chairperson of each community board in the borough. The borough boards can hold or conduct public or private hearings, adopt by-laws, prepare comprehensive and special purpose plans and make recommendations for land use and planning, mediate disputes and conflicts among two or more community boards, submit
6900-492: The interior and exterior. Due to the complexity of the demands of the project, the New York City Department of Design and Construction hired Hill International to provide construction management. Renovations were originally estimated to cost $ 104 million and take four years, but ended up costing nearly $ 150 million and taking over five years. Although Mangin and McComb designed the building, which
7000-468: The laboring men of other States." In January 1861, Wood suggested to the New York City Council that New York secede and declare itself a free city in order to continue its profitable cotton trade with the Confederacy. Wood's Democratic machine was concerned with maintaining the revenues that maintained the patronage, which depended on Southern cotton. Wood's suggestion was greeted with derision by
7100-666: The mayor, comptroller, president of the City Council, and the five borough presidents . The three citywide officials each cast two votes, and the borough presidents one each. In 1989, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Board of Estimate as violating the principle of "one man, one vote", due to the dramatically unequal numbers of constituents being represented by each borough president. The city subsequently adopted its current arrangement by referendum. The state court system in New York City has two citywide courts,
7200-559: The nascent Jacksonian Democratic Party, possibly influenced by his hatred of the Second Bank of the United States , which he blamed for his father's ruin. In 1836, party leaders elevated him to membership in the fraternal-political Tammany Society , the first rung on the New York Democratic ladder. Tammany Hall was split between moderates, including Wood, and a breakaway faction of radicals known as Locofocos . When
7300-464: The necessary start-up capital for the Cater . Wood presented his brother-in-law with a fraudulent letter, purportedly from a "Thomas O'Larkin" in Monterey, California , suggesting the venture. Marvine was convinced by this letter and convinced three more investors to join. Marvine later sued Wood for $ 20,000 in fraud. In 1851, Wood was indicted by a grand jury, but the judges quashed the charges because
7400-476: The northern limits of the city, now City Hall Park . City Hall was originally an area for the first almshouse in 1653. In 1736, there was a financed almshouse for those who were fit to work, for the unfit, and those that were like criminals but were paupers. In 1802, New York City held a competition for a new City Hall. The first prize of $ 350 was awarded to Joseph-François Mangin and John McComb Jr. Mangin studied architecture in his native France before becoming
7500-618: The powerful House Committee on Ways and Means . Throughout his career, Wood expressed political sympathies for the Southern United States , including during the American Civil War . He once suggested to the New York City Council that the city should declare itself an independent city-state in order to continue its profitable cotton trade with the Confederate States of America . In the House, he
7600-427: The real estate market, at first by accident. In 1848, using his second wife's modest fortune, he took out a $ 4,000 (~$ 114,005 in 2023) mortgage on a 150 acre plot on Bloomingdale Road . As New York's population boomed and development hastened, real estate values skyrocketed. Along with subsequent purchases from the same estate, Wood accumulated a property worth over $ 650,000. Using this property as security, he engaged in
7700-542: The rear elevation, had deteriorated over time from pollution and pigeons. It was completely reclad in Alabama limestone above a Missouri granite base in 1954–56 by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon , architects of the Empire State Building . The steps of City Hall frequently provide a backdrop for political demonstrations and press conferences concerning city politics. Live, unedited coverage of events at City Hall
7800-460: The rear of the building to lower costs. The brownstone, along with the original deteriorated Massachusetts marble facade, quarried from Alford, Massachusetts , was later replaced with Alabama limestone between 1954 and 1956. Labor disputes and an outbreak of yellow fever further slowed construction. The building was not dedicated until 1811, and opened officially in 1812. The New York City Police riot occurred in front of New York City Hall between
7900-421: The recently dissolved New York Municipal Police and the newly formed Metropolitan Police on June 16, 1857. Municipal police fought with Metropolitan officers who were attempting to arrest New York City Mayor Fernando Wood . In 1953, the city's public works commissioner Frederick H. Zurmuhlen requested $ 2.2 million to repair City Hall's facade, which was crumbling. On July 23, 2003, at 2:08 p.m., City Hall
8000-461: The soaring rotunda dome – as did Colonel Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth , first Union officer killed in the Civil War and commander of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (First Fire Zouaves). There are 108 paintings from the late 18th century through the 20th century, which The New York Times declared were "almost unrivaled as an ensemble, with several masterpieces". Among the collection
8100-586: The state Unified Court System. The Criminal Court of the City of New York handles summons court appearance tickets, violations, misdemeanors (generally, crimes punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to one year), and conducts arraignments (initial court appearances following arrest) and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The Civil Court of the City of New York includes Housing Court for landlord-tenant matters, Small Claims Court for cases involving amounts up to $ 5000, and generally has jurisdiction for damages up to $ 25,000. It handles about 25% of all
8200-505: The statements of two of the referees in his case, a letter from the bank's Whig attorney, and a letter from his own attorney, which Wood combined to argue the bank had maligned him to help the Whig Party. Wood and his Democratic running mates unseated the incumbent Whig ticket, though Wood received the fewest votes and only won his seat by 886 votes. The bank scandal remained a sore spot for Wood for years. In Congress, Wood served on
8300-490: The statute of limitations expired a day before the court was to rule on the matter. Wood was accused, without substantiation, of bribing the Whig district attorney with $ 700 to delay the charges until the statute of limitations expired. In 1855, the New York Supreme Court ordered Wood to pay Marvine $ 8,000 and the other partners $ 5,635.40. Wood filed an appeal that dragged on for another six years. During
8400-821: The west; the Broadway–Chambers Building to the northwest; 280 Broadway , 49 Chambers , Tweed Courthouse , and Surrogate's Courthouse to the north; the Manhattan Municipal Building to the northeast; the Brooklyn Bridge to the east; and the New York Times Building , the Potter Building , and the Park Row Building to the southwest. City Hall Park is approximately three blocks away from
8500-628: Was a vocal opponent of President Abraham Lincoln and one of the main opponents of the Thirteenth Amendment , which abolished slavery in the United States . Fernando Wood was born in Philadelphia on June 14, 1812. His Spanish forename was chosen by his mother, who found it in The Three Spaniards , an English gothic novel written by George Walker . His father, Benjamin Wood, was a speculator in dry goods who
8600-510: Was an American Democratic Party politician, merchant, and real estate investor who served as the 73rd and 75th Mayor of New York City . He also represented the city for several terms in the United States House of Representatives . After rapidly rising through Tammany Hall , Wood served a single term in the U.S. House before returning to private life and building a fortune in real estate speculation and maritime shipping. He
8700-513: Was an early supporter of James Buchanan for the 1856 Democratic nomination and attempted to parlay this support into a nomination on Buchanan's ticket for Governor of New York . However, an expected endorsement by Buchanan never materialized and Wood was seen as too extreme by state leaders. Both the Hard and Soft factions unified on the candidacy of Amasa J. Parker , who ultimately lost the election. Instead, Wood stood for re-election as mayor on
8800-505: Was bankrupted by the Panic of 1819 . His mother, Rebecca (née Lehman) Wood, was the daughter of a recent immigrant from Hamburg who had been wounded at the Battle of Yorktown . Fernando had six siblings: four brothers and two sisters. His brother, named Benjamin Wood after their father, also served in the U.S. Congress. Throughout Fernando Wood's career, Benjamin was his sole trusted ally. During Fernando's childhood, his father moved
8900-526: Was constructed between 1810 and 1812, it has been altered numerous times over the years by several architects. These include Leopold Eidlitz in 1860, John H. Duncan in 1898, William Martin Aiken in 1903, Grosvenor Atterbury from 1907 to 1917, Shreve, Lamb & Harmon in 1956, and Cabrera Barricklo in 1998. The architectural style of City Hall combines international architectural influences, French Renaissance and English neoclassicism. American- Georgian
9000-526: Was defeated by Ambrose C. Kingsland in a landslide for the Whig Party. Wood began organizing his political return in November 1853, courting both the Soft and Hard factions in opposition to Free Soil Democrats, who opposed any extension of slavery whatsoever. He also sought influence in the secretive new Know-Nothing nativist movement, despite his base of support in the city's immigrant communities. Wood
9100-434: Was designed to be the showpiece of the new subway. The platform and mezzanine feature Guastavino tile , skylights, colored glass tile work and brass chandeliers. Passenger service was discontinued on December 31, 1945, although the station is still used as a turning loop for 6 and <6> trains. Another station named City Hall ( N , R , and W trains) also exists on
9200-472: Was easily nominated for a second time, though a faction of Hard Democrats nominated Wilson J. Hunt. Wood's campaign was nearly upended by his Know-Nothing involvement, but he survived the accusations to win with just 33.6% of the vote. In his first two-year term, Wood sought to strengthen the office of mayor and establish "one-man rule" in advance of proposals to unilaterally modernize the city's economy, improve its public works, and reduce wealth inequality. He
9300-682: Was educated in grammar, rhetoric, and mathematics. He left school in 1825 at age 13, as his father's business declined, in order to provide for his family. For six years, he worked throughout the Eastern United States in a variety of low-paying jobs, including as a stage actor. In 1831, he married his first wife, Anna W. Taylor, the 16-year old daughter of a Philadelphia merchant. In 1832, Wood returned to New York City to head his mother's household at 140 Greene Street. He struggled in business, often working nights at his wife's wine and tobacconist store on Pearl Street. In 1835, Wood started
9400-434: Was elected mayor for the first time in 1854 and served three non-consecutive terms. His mayoralty was marked by an almost dictatorial vision of the office and political corruption in the city's appointed offices, including the New York City police force. His political appointments and his advocacy for unilateral reform of the city charter to strengthen his power and grant the city home rule brought him into direct conflict with
9500-432: Was expected to be a showdown between Calhoun and Martin Van Buren, Wood acted as a double agent on behalf of Van Buren. Calhoun supporters, seeking to peel Tammany away from Van Buren, invited Wood to strategy meetings and sought his advice on courting New York delegates. However, Wood covertly passed this information to Van Buren. Though Calhoun never found Wood out, the affair left Van Buren suspicious of Wood's character and
9600-512: Was marked by his push for home rule and charter reform, as well as accusations of corruption in city government by his opponents. Wood was the first New York City mayor linked to Tammany Hall . Wood was nominated for Mayor of New York City for the first time in 1850 with the support of "Soft Shell Democrats" who supported the 1849 state Democratic platform, which called for protection of slavery where it existed but recognized Congress's right to prevent its extension to new American territories. He
9700-525: Was one of many New York Democrats sympathetic to the Confederacy, called ' Copperheads ' by the staunch Unionists. In 1860, at a meeting to choose New York's delegates to the Democratic convention in Charleston, S.C., Wood outlined his case against the abolitionist cause and the "Black Republicans" who supported it. He was of the opinion that "until we have provided and cared for the oppressed laboring man in our own midst, we should not extend our sympathy to
9800-549: Was renamed Federal Hall in 1789, after New York became the first official capital of the United States after the Constitution was ratified. It was demolished in 1812 and current Federal Hall was built in 1842. Plans for building a new City Hall were discussed by the New York City Council as early as 1776, but the financial strains of the war delayed progress. The Council chose a site at the old Common at
9900-400: Was the scene of a rare political assassination. Othniel Askew , a political rival of City Councilman James E. Davis , opened fire with a pistol from the balcony of the City Council chamber. Askew shot Davis twice, fatally wounding him. A police officer on the floor of the chamber then fatally shot Askew. Askew and Davis had entered the building together without passing through a metal detector,
10000-473: Was very popular in New York and throughout the country, and gained the nickname "the Model Mayor." However, his attempts at reform were quickly overshadowed by failure to answer accusations of corruption in his handling of the police force. His political base was eroded entirely in the 1855 elections, leaving Wood on the defensive for the remainder of his term. Nonetheless, his vision for the mayoralty as
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