Evening star., 1926-11-28
LEXINGTON FAVORED FOR FARM
MARKET OR u. S. STOREHOUSE

II the lexington site. between First
and Second streets northeast, n and
o streets, Is not taken by the Federal
Government the District Commission
ers would like to be authorized to buy
1t. It Is believed tht they had this
particular square in mind when they
asked cooperation Of the Public
Buildings Commission toward secur-
ing an appropriation Of 100000 to
buy a site for farmers market.
In this lexington square there are
225.257 square feet, or Sill acres.
The asked price is $3.50 per square
foot, which would run the cost to
$788. .399. so, but it is probable that the
District could buy it for So a square
foot, The District now owns the
land Just east Of this square and west
of the railroad tracks. which 1t uses
for storage Of supplies for public
works. The District also rents from
triangular piece Just north Of this
square, across Florida avenue, which
it uses for its asphalt plant. The
District has for three years or more
been trying to get cooperation from
the Budget Bureau for the purchase
OF land east Of the railroad tracks and
south OF Florida avenue, which 1t will
need for its street and sewer and city
refuse service shops, which are now
on Canal street. occupying ground
which has already been placed at the
disposal Of the Botanic Garden. The
District can now acquire that open
air storage ground for Is cents to III
per foot.
The purchase Of the square between
First and Second streets, N and .
streets, would give the District very
valuable and needed property. This
to ha
'and Ohio officials have expected that
the new wholesale market center
would be established. 1t Is ideal for
spur track facilities and building
FIVE or six stories high could lie erect
ed there.
Market on Ground Floor.
It Is too valuable a piece Of land to
be used exclusively by the farmers
and a service building is erected the
ground floor could be used for the
farmers market. 1t is property which
the District will absolutely need a few
years hence.
If neither the Federal or District
Government acquires this property, 1t
may be taken over by private capital.
which would erect wholesale or COM
mission building, thus establishing the
wholesale market there. just across
the street from the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad freight yards. In that
event the District Commissioners
would be willing to make a deal for
use Of the ground floor as farmers
market.
With such development in the
Eckington area. it is believed that
smaller commission houses would
naturally edge into the mid.city loca-
ton, which would be the most advan-
tageous for the retail center market.
1t is really felt by those who have
been studying the market problem
the wholesale market and the mid-city
site for the retail market are both
In the same program, with traffic
congestion scattered between the two,
with each being close enough to the
other for all public conveniences. and
with abundant room for expansion OF
either.
Suggestion for Archives.
Still another proposal, which has
thus far received scant consideration.
is that the Archives Building should
be considered OF the same character
OF institution as the Army War Col
lege, and might we'll be placed on
cheap land at Ruzzards Point, just
east Of the Washington Barracks,
helping to improve that area instead
of occupying valuable Pennsylvania
avenue frontage.
The Delano committee from the City
Planning Commission is studying the
triangle south Of Pennsylvania avenue
with special view to what streets
should be left open and which should
be closed, what street railway routes
should be run through the area, and
to make particular recommendations
regarding parking Of automobiles. 1t
is rather generally believed by the
planning commission that automobile
parking should be provided within
each of the big buildings.
Some consideration has already
been given to the future eventuality OF
tunnel!ng to avoid traffic congestion.