Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-15
Atkins Reveals Details Of
Project Given
by Fine Arts.
FUTURE EXPANSION
NEEDS ARE COVERED
Dougherty Urges Speed in Seeking
Authorization and Funds
From Congress.


had before them today letter from
the Commission OF Fine Arts. for
mally approving preliminary plans
for the proposed civic center between
Third and Seventh streets, immedi
ately north of Pennsylvania avenue.
Mai. l.. T.. Atkins, assistant engineer
commissioner, revealed details of the
plan at a luncheon meeting of the
Washington Board of Trade, and de-
clared that legislation authorizing the
Commissioners to proceed with the
project will be sought at the present
session of Congress.
Mai Atkins said he already has
recommended to the Commissioners
plan for financing the project on
60-40 basis. which would obligate the
Federal Government TO pay 40 per
cent of the cost; and that the plan
very likely will be approved.
Dougherty Praises Plans.
Chairman Dougherty of the Board
of Commissioners also declared that
the plans for the civil group are ideal
and carry out the thoughts of the city
heads with respect to provision for
present needs and the future expan-
sion. He also urged that authorize
ton for the purchase of the site and
appropriation Of money to begin con-
struction be expedited in order that
the municipal activities now in the
triangle" may be housed when the
Government building program gets
well under way.
Several District activities, including
the Municipal Building. are in the
triangle to be used in Government
building construction and the struc-
lures occupied by most of them will
have to be vacated within the next
decade.
IF Congress should declare its in
tention D take over for the use Of the
District of Columbia the entire area
indicated on the plan" the letter of
the Commission of Fine Arts declares.
then the Commissioners might be
authorized to acquire immediately the
sites for the Police Court and other
buildings for which there is urgent
present need. and could proceed with
the development Of group plan. OF
which the structures indicated would
form a constituent part.
such a declaration also would have
the effect of providing for the ultimate
reclamation OF what is now the least
desirable portion of the north side OF
Pennsylvania avenue and insure the
adequate development of that historic
thoroughfare in an orderly manner,
in keeping with the Government de-
Velopment on the south side.
Provides for Expansion.
Fine Arts Commission officials who
have approved the preliminary design
l. l1n1d
ing that ii offers great opportunity
to combine in one location all the civic
activities of the District. TO provide
for future expansion and to construct
in accordance with the type of struc-
ture to go up across Pennsylvania
avenue
The area 10 be used by the proposed
civic group will cover six squares be.
tween Third and Seventh streets,
Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues,
under the plans prepared by Municipal
Architect Harris.
Maj. Atkins said today a recent sur
Vey showed District activities now used
$3.50 square feet of floor space, only
little more than is to be turned over
TO the Women's Bureau and the House
of Detention under future plans.
Nearly $4,000 square feet of floor
space are urgently needed to house
District activities. he said, while the
natural growth estimated in the next
decade will make necessary 1852
square feet in addition.
Municipal activities now housed in
the triangle include the following:
Municipal Building. Municipal Lodg
ing House. Traffic Bureau. House of
Detention and Womens Bureau,
fire engine house. the first precinct
station house and the medical clinic
Of the Health Department. which has
been moved 70 make way for the Com
merce Department Building
Bill to BE Prepared.
The next step contemplated in the
development of the plan, Maj. Atkins
explained. is preparation of a bill au.
thorizing acquisition of the property
needed and appropriation of funds for
the preparation and study of plans.
The plan of financing suggested
by Maj. Atkins contemplates an i'm
mediate loan from the Federal Treas
ury of the funds necessary to ac-
qulre the site 60 per cent of which
would be returned in annual install.
ments spread over a period of years.
Maj Atkins said it is absolutely
necessary TO acquire the entire site
at one time and not by piecemeai
methods as the Federal Governments
public building development on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue
would enhance the value of the prop
erty on the north side desired by
the District. and thus increase the
cost above the estimated $4,000. 900
or S9.000.0O0
Mai Atkins said that he was un.
able to make an intelligent estimate
of the ultimate cost of the municipal
center at this time. although it likely
would be as high as $40, 000, 900. An
accurate estimate cannot be made, he
explained. until the detailed plans of
the buildings to be erected have been
studied.
If Congress win authorize loan
from the Treasury to cover the cost of
the site and preparation of the plans,
Mai. Atkins said he believed funds for
construction of the buildings could be
provided in the annual appropriation
bills.
Far-Visioned Plan.
The municipal center development,
he emphasized. is a far-yisioned
project. and the final building to 60
into the area may not be erected for
about 40 years. The present plans
contemplate erection of an admins.
trative building with wings TO accom-.
modate all OF the existing municipal
activities. including those now housed
in rented quarters.
The preliminary sketches of Munic.
ipal Architect Harris call for the cree.
ton of tile administrative building on
the southeast cornfr of John Marshall
Continued on Fee. 2. Column %