Evening star., 1923-12-31


for building operations in 1923, and
the. close Of the year finds that dur
ing the twelve months past the city
spent close to $50.0o0,00o on building
operations. including construction Of
new projects and remodeling.
While exact figures will not be
known until the complete records for
December are available, the eleven
months up to December found the city
had spent 34o,9o5,755 on new build
ing operations alone, while permits
for remodeling and repairing came
to s4.56s.7Ss.
The estimates for December will
pring the total, officials feel sure, to
over $50.000,O00.
Last year Washington spent s45,-
tuted the city's record until the last
year.
The real estate developments dur
ing the last year attested the city's
rapid growth.
Many Deals COnsummated.
In business and residential sections
number of new Office buildings and
other commercial structures were
completed, while new subdivisions
tion Of many beautiful homes. So fas
mas the city been expanding that it
mas stretched across the District bor-
GERS on all sides into Maryland and
virginia, and in the parts of these
states sa., Immediately adjacent to the
nave grown up. filled by people who
work in the District of Columbia.
Inere is a noticeable movement of
Us ss tsWard the northwest, until
nov tns center of the financial and
realty districts is around 10Th and K
streets. and other business is follow
ing In this movement. In this section
many OF the one-time handsome resi-
oences nave given away, either by re-
modelling into offices or razing and
replacement by new buildings RuiJd- :
ing activity in this section has been
most active.
Home Building Active.
Home building in the city went on
most actively during 1923, and Wash
lnston was well at the top of the list
OF cities of its size in this sphere.
Out 18th street handsome homes have
been going up continually. and now
there Is an operation just started to
open this thoroughfare beyond wal
ter Reed Hospital to the District line.
SUBDIVISIONS to the westward have
what were the first part Of the year
great expanses Of open country have
given way to the progress of high
ways and the construction of new
homes.
While home building has been mos,
active. nevertheless, large buildings
operations have been followed almost
mediately by sale and occupancy
or the homes. The rapid construc-
tino and the observation that rfor
rent highs appeared on houses and
apartments for the first time since the
war leaves the impression that Wash
ington has reached the point where II
can take care of its residents. How
ever. in realty circles there is the
opinion that much must yet be done
in the way of home building in order
to take care of all those who want
homes. But there is also the opinion
that the city has reached the absorp-
ton point in high-priced apartments.
Problems for Z0ninE.
Expansion of business has furnished
problems for the zoning commission
as it reached out along the thorough
fares leading into and out Of the city.
The year has seen many new business
structures displace residences out
4th street and the changing Of the
building lines, bringing 1t to the
pavement edge on this street. Eff
merly the site of Camp Meigs. zoned
for commercial uses. because of it's
proximity to the railroad, were sue
cessfully stopped by a fight on the
part of citizens. There is still the
hope that Congress will purchase this
tract and turn 1t into q great park
and playground. The coming commits
sion also ruled that apartments
would not be allowed in restrict ed
areas.
Development Of a commercial sub
division just across the District line
out Georgetown way was undertaken,
and It is planned to have railroads
deliver freight there for the western
section of the city.
Millions OF dollars worth Of proper
ty changed hands during the year.
particularly among large apartments.
notable being the Meridian Mansion
and the Argonne. The new Wash
ington auditorium is progressing
rapidly. work on the new ca
thedral and the George Washing
ton memorial likewise Is well under
way, and q movement was started
the latter part of the year to bring