Evening star., 1927-09-04
A Civic Center.

Development under the auspices Of
the Commission Of Fine Arts of
plan for a civic center for Washing
ton encourages the hope that pro-
vision may be made at the coming
session of Congress for a beginning
on this project in the near future.
The commissions proposal is for
large area in the center of the city
fronting on Pennsylvania avenue be.
tween Third and Seventh streets, to
be occupied by group Of buildings
devoted to municipal purposes and
to be modelled after the civic center
of Chicago. There is space within
the area proposed for this purpose,
extending north to Indiana and
Louisiana avenues, for all the activ-
titles of the District government now
housed in the District Building, which
lies within the Mall-Avenue triangle,
and others that are at present inade-
quately housed in various quarters
inconveniently located and poorly re-
lated to one another and the central
Offices. In addition there will be
room for expansion to meet the
future needs Of the Capital.
Experience plainly proves the wis
dom of a large-scale provision OF
space and preparation Of plans for
such q center. with its accommoda-
tions for municipal offices. The
wanderings Of the District admins
trative organization during the past
ifty years have given it, even with
erection Of the present District
Building, successfully cramped and
inappropriate quarters. With each
move It was thought that there was
space enough, q thought soon cor
rected by the rapid outgrowing OF
facilities and continuous scattering
of miscellaneous bureaus. When the
present District Building was de-
signed it was then thought to be
big enough for all time, and yet 1t
failed to provide accommodation for
q number of strictly municipal activ-
tiles which remained outside in rented
quarters.
Washington Is now a, city OF
approximately half a million people.
It will surely grow to a larger size,
perhaps within a quarter of a GEN.
tury to a million. Its municipal
offices will expand and It is possible
that there will be new bureaus IN
addition to those now included In the
organization. Therefore, in planning
q civic center which is to. accommo-
date al of the municipal housings
OF an administrative character pro-
vision should be made for the possi-
bility of future expansion in the form
of either additions to structures or,
better, new buildings for which suit
able sites can be found within the
prescribed area.
II the recommendations Of the
Commission of Fine Arts are adopted
O space will be set apart which will
insure this treatment for the imme-
date and the future requirements of
the District. The area proposed Is
admirably located. 1t has a direct
relation to the courts, with which
much Of the District business is con-
nected. There will be room within it
for a police building, likewise deeds
record office, which should be placed
In such a site rather than within the
park as according to the latest pro-
posal for this contemplated structure.
BY virtue of a broad treatment OF
this project it will be possible to
effect harmonious design Of place.
ment and an artistic and consistent
plan Of architecture in keeping with
the surroundings. 1t will be possible,
moreover, to plan a revision of the
street lines to afford maximum OF
access. In short. only by treating the
problem in a large scale can Wash
ington be given a municipal center
surely meeting immediate needs and
all that may arise in the future.