Evening star., 1923-05-06

state of disrepair. It's mmercial
value is not fully realized, due to the
absence Of modern use, irregular
preservation.
The north side OF the channel has
not kept pace with the general
growth of the District of Columbia,
perhaps largely because of the lack
of a definite scheme of development.
1t is high time that this public prop
erty should be economically used and
developed in as pleasing a manner as
natural limitations will permit.
1T is proposed to effect con-
sistent treatment of the water front
along Washington channel with a
full recognition of the governing re-
quirements-commer practical and
artistic. In the consideration of the
water front it is recognized that this
portion of the channel must always
be available for the wharfing, unload
ing and loading OF water traffic. 1t
is entirely feasible to realize such a
development with ample provision for
commercial endeavor, both present
and future, and yet with sympa-
thetic appreciation of such artistic
principles as are dictated by the pres
ence here of the National Capital.
Previous plans of development pro-
posed commercial piers, known as
slips. extending from the bulkhead
line in an almost perpendicular direc
tion from the shore and limited in
projection into the channel by the
pier-head line established by the War
Department. These slips embraced
the construction of warehouses for
freight. storage. waiting rooms and
other adjuncts of water traffic.
Such a construction, sawtooth in
effect. would present displeasing ap-
rearance from the water side, would
hide the water from land travel along
Water street and would not be con-
sistent with the best IDEAS of wharf
planning. Slips are not only un-
slightly. but are uneconomical where
various types of water craft must be
accommodated.
THE quay in the proposed plan
would be at an elevation of about
three feet above extreme high water
and eight feet below the level OF
| Water street and bearing the same
| relation to a new boulevard between
Water street and the quay.
This height of eight feet would
permit tunneled runways connecting
the quay with terra firma, thereby
giving access by push trucks to
| warehouses located on the south side
of Water street. The generous width
of the quay, varying from 100 to 25C
feet, would permit the temporary
storage of freight protected from
! weather by paulins. as is customary
/ in Europe.
The quay would be communicated
with from the street by occasional
| ramps on easy grades. permitting the
| heaviest motor trucks to go direct
| from the street to the quay.
Sc \ MPLE and commodious ware
/ "A houses are proposed to bs
erected on the south side of Water
! street, approximately over the exist
+. ing bulkhead line. These buildings
! though simple in design. would b'
! made to conform in silhouette anC
+! general appearance to some accepted
I architectural treatment, such as the
E, new Municipal Fish Market and thu
| Capital Yacht Club, which buildings
do not violate any part of the pro
| posed scheme.
"The commercial buildings woult
have their frontage on a south eleva
| ton facing a new boulevard between
Water street and the channel at abou
the same grade as Water street. Thi'
boulevard would furnish circulation
between Potomac Park and the Wa
College, thereby connecting the parl
system of southern Washington will
main arteries southwark from tn,
Capitol and with the Fort drives
which begin in Anacostia.