The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-08
0FFEREDAS
PARKING
NEED
John ]. Allen Points Out Ad.
vantages as Solution
of Problem.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.


Underground garages as a solu-
ton to traffic congestion caused
by automobile parking in Wash
ington's downtown streets is sug-
gested by John j. Allen, of 19 R
street northeast.
The underground garage is de-
clared to be a new idea utilizing
sub-areas now undeveloped and
promising an economic and salts
factory method of eliminating the
all-day parked car, thousands of
which line the side streets through
out the business section of the
city during business hours.
Points to Advantages.
No reason. it is pointed out, can
be advanced for not using in this
way extended sections under streets
+ and parks. Illustrating the posi-.
bility of underground garage con-
gtruction attention Is directed by
those who have recently studied
the plan, to the comfort station in
Pulaski park. While more extended
excavations would be necessary in
connection with garages under
streets and, possibly, in some In.
stances below building foundations.
they viii prove simple engineering
problems involving a minimum OF
labor and other expense in develop
ment.
Possibility of parking hundreds of
cars in this way viii be brought
to the attention Of the District
Commissioners by those advocating
the plan as soon as tentative speci-
fications embodying the general de.
tails can be prepared.
while impracticable for various
reasons to utilize some of the un'
derground areas in certain down
town sections where water mains
lie under the streets, yet fully a
dozen locations can be named where
stations for the parking of autos
can be constructed beneath the
streets or adjoining properties with
out involving the safety OF the first
or the property value of the lat.
ter" said Mr.. Allen.
$50 far as I know the idea is a
new one. But give il a little serious
consideration while the problems of
solving traffic congestion is before
the public and many persons viii
endorse it.
Favors ID. C. Ownership.
There is no reason why the
Underground garage should not be
q municipality owned and operated
enterprise. Personally do not
favor the idea of the plan being
undertaken by private interests. II
the parking garages are placed be-
meath the streets they should be
considered as a part Of the high
way system and included with
everything else coming under the
management of those responsible
for highways. OF course there is
no objection to private ownership
of them other than applies to such
ownership of public utilities which
serve a large percentage of the
population in a specific way and
the rest indirectly.
1.-The underground garage sug-
gested itself as the result Of re-
Gently driving through culvert
running through a hill which had
-teen cut out to considerable pro-
portions. 1t happened we had &C.
casion to stop to make a slight re-
pair and running our car out OF
the way of traffic it dawned on mo
that the surroundings were ideal
for parking purposes"
Solution of approaches to the
underground garage could be work.
ed out by engineers, it was stated,
while taking over a small property
here and there would constitute no
fatal objection to the plan.
Underground parking Of autos
was declared preferable to overhead
parking in specially constructed
buildings occupying unused centers
Of blocks.
"If such sites are available for
building purposes, why not utilize
them in other ways and use the
ground below for parking garages"
suggested Mr.. Allen. 1.-The under
ground parking of cars has several
advantages to recommend 1t. Fires
are less likely to occur. The cost
of upkeep will be low. Accessibility
10 another feature to be considered
It is easier to drive a car down an
incline and place it than to run it
onto an elevator. lift ii one. two
or three stories. run 1t off and into
q designated stall. The elimination
of elevator service alone would save
almost enough to meet operating
expenses Of the below level park
inc afapHs All nf these fanfopa ara