Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-22
PARKING PROJECTS MAY BE LOST
UNLESS FUNDS ARE PROVIDED
Commission Organic Act Authorizes ST, lOO,O 900
Yearly, But Budget Allows Only 100000.
\ Some Purchases Imperative in Near Future.

bills In Congress for many years. In
klingle Valley the encrOaDhment OF
builders had prevented sitting the
full project as originally outlined.
and much of the Piney Branch prof.
ect has been destroyed by the dump
ings from building excavations
nearby.
In this project the city owns
right of way down the valley, and 1t
eventually will be Arkansas avenue.
But the right of way does not run
to the east side Of the bridge, but hits
Sixteenth street a short distance TO
the north Of the bridge. 1t Is desirable
that the right Of way to the bridge
proper be obtained, so that drive
way may be carried under the bridge
and into Rock Creek Park When
such a project is completed persons
n that section will he enabled to
drive downtown through the Rock
Creek and Potomac Parks without
hitting any of the heavy traf 1ic of the
city. and II will relieve Sixteenth
street OF much of its heavy traffic.
Have Lessened Dumping.
Under the present order OF things
the Government does not own any
land east Of the east line of the
bridge, and 1t is possible for the own
ers OF this land to till in up to the
bridge and build houses fronting right
on this structure. There is enough
money on hand to purchase about
one-third Of this project. and nego-
tiations now are under way for It.
These negotiations We're opened and
"a rried on only after the Government
threatened condemnation proceed
ings. The negotiations also have had
the effect Of stopping the dumping
there to some extent. The District
authorities are doing some ash dump
ing. hut only under the direction OF
the park authorities. who are eNer
ci<ing some control now over the
changing lines.
The Patterson tract east OF the
railroad TRACKS en Florida avenue
northeast IL another of the projects
which the commission will not 10 able
10 touch for wears at the present rate
of appropria lions. Efforts have been
made specifically to interest the
House DISTRICT committee in this.
Another large project which needs
prompt attention is Foundry valley.
south Of the Archhold tract which
was coded 10 the Government, The
latter tract runs only down 10 Pes
ervoir road and II the Government is
70 develop the valley. II was pointed
out II must have the la nd south Of
this roadwav and into the river: other
wise there will he no place to dump
the waters in the upper pa "kwaN.
Building and regarding already hsv
started on tho heights west of this
project. and II is within the realm
NJ possibility that the development
will move eastward and into the val
ley which IF course. will require
fill. nearing the destruction Of the
valley forever for park purposes.
There &c the famous Fort stevens
tract which was partially destroyed
before the Government funds became
availa bic hut every effort will he
made TO get as much Of this az pos
sihle. II Is realized. however. that 1t
will he long grind with the compare
lively small amount of money avail
able. The Park Commission could
settle many of these projects prompt
ly. with fun protection to the Gov
eminent. II large enough fund were
provided Immediately. and then could
give Its attention TO virgin lands along
the watersheds which it IL desired TO
preserve. But, in the meantime. II
must hurriedly apply itself 10 impera
tive projects and let the rest 90. I'M
less greater funds are provided