The City Hall that Moved into a Squatter's House

The triangular block on Yesler Avenue known as the Keezer property, bought by the city last January as a site for a prospective city hall, will come into use sooner than was anticipated. The municipal offices have since the fire been located in very small temporary buildings in front of the courthouse, while the council has held its public sessions in the courtroom and its conferences in Judge Hanford's chambers. As the city cannot now afford to build a city hall, it has been determined to remodel the large house on the Yesler Avenue side of the property, fronting on Fifth Street, to accommodate the offices. After this week, the municipal offices, the council chamber, and the city jail will be located in the Keezer house. When the purchase was made last January, there was an understanding that Mr. Keezer should be allowed to occupy his residence for nine months, rent free. Instead of living in the house, however, he sub-rented it to a lodging house keeper, whose term does not expire until July. This tenant has agreed to vacate the premises this week and the work of remodeling the building can be commenced in a day or two.