Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-10
Triangle and Plaza Plans.

Fine Arts upon the preservation of
the Mall and the area south of the
White House in their present condi-
ton in the development of the Gov
ernment's public building program
should have the effect of preventing
any departures that will lessen the
value of those spaces as parks in the
heart of the city. A disposition to use
the Mall for building purposes has
been checked with only one location
of a strictly department structure
therein. Doubtless If the Department
of Agriculture had not been originally
established in the park the new build
ing for that branch of the Govern
ment, begun a number of years age
with the erection of two wings"
which are now to be Joined by con-
located in the reservation.
The immediate question relates d.
rectiy not to the placement of build
ings within the Mall, but to the treat
ment Of the triangle north of it as a
general Government building site. 1t
is proposed now to create at Fifteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue a
plaza, by emitting from the building
site plan the northwest square of the
triangle area and it's transformation
into a park approach to the reserva-
aF Ian
White House. In order to develop this
area most suitably the Commission of
Fine Arts now suggests that the street
railway lines be relocated. eliminating
all lines from Fifteenth street and con-
centrating them on Fourteenth street.
This raises a new question which
must be considered not merely with
reference to the park and building
plans, but in respect to the city's
transportation requirements.
1t is evident that the location Of the
car lines on Fourteenth street rather
than on Fifteenth would put a very
heavy strain upon the former within
the space between Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and H street. At present the
throat" of traffic at Fifteenth street
and New York avenue presents a seri-
Gus problem. 1t is possible that more
serious one would be created by estab-
fishing a throat" at Fourteenth
street and New York avenue.
This matter Of street railway lines
with relation to the proposed plaza
southeast of the Treasury does not re.
Quire. immediate decision. 1t will be
possible to proceed with the erection
of the Government buildings and the
establishment Of the open space at the
northwest corner of the triangle with
out reference to street railway condi-
lions. II later it should be found
feasible to reroute the car lines that
could be done in adjustment. Possibly
by that time transportation conditions
win have altered materially through
the development of bus service.
An emphatic protest is entered by
the Commission of Fine Arts against
the establishment Of subway, or
ditch" as it is styled, along street
for traffic purposes. 1t could. Of course,
not be an open traffic way If the plan
for making B street boulevard CIV
ing approach to the Lincoln Memorial
and the Memorial Bridge should be de.
veloped. Whatever may be the re-
quirements as to motor car parking
when the Government structures are
concentrated within the Mall-Avenue
triangle, there should be no unsightly
motor yards" in evidence.
All these questions are to be
thrashed out with view to making
the Government equipment soon to be
provided feature of Washington that
will establish it's character as the most
attractive Of cities. The Commission
of Fine Arts is an advisory body, and
it's view Of the requirements is in
spired by the desire to give the United
States Capital which will be the
object Of the worlds admiration. The
Public Buildings Commission will
doubtless be guided by it in proceeding
with the great plan now in hand.