Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-01
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue.

pennsylvania avenue,
During the many years of waiting
for the Government to take over for
its own purposes the area between
Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall pri-
vate building construction on the north
side of the city'S chief thoroughfare
has with few exceptions remained stag
nant. Along the great stretch between
the Capitol and the Treasury there has
been but little development for business
purposes and in consequence Pennsyl-
vania avenue has in measure deteri-
GRATED in appearance, though losing
none of its character as the historic
artery of the Capital. Now that the
United States has at last started on its
program of construction within the
triangle, with the positive assurance of
early completion and the transforma-
! ton of that space into an impressive
architectural assemblage, consideration
/ is being given to the future of the
north side. To this end the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission
has undertaken the adoption of a pro-
gram of recommendations for archi-
tectural designs for future constructions
that will harmonic with the Federal
building group. The American Insti-
tute of Architects is now working on
such scheme for the commission and
legislation in aid of the right develop
! ment of Pennsylvania avenue is also
under consideration.
A bill is now pending in Congress to
give the Commission of Fine Arts au-
thority to pass upon the exterior de-
signs of private buildings to be erected
opposite Government structures and
reservations. Some objection has been
developed to this measure on the score
that it is too inclusive, but in the main
it is felt that there should be some
degree of supervision or advisory con-
troll over private enterprise in such con-
ditions. A special committee of the
Park and Planning Commission is to
consider this matter with reference to
the areas to which this bill should ap-
ply. 1t would be very greatly to the
advantage of the Capital if some form
of legislation could be worked out that
would, without hampering private en-
terprise, at least prevent the develop
ment of the lands on the north side of
Pennsylvania avenue in a manner in
consistent and inharmonious with the
fanoda IN tho c0fIfhnry1 cida
It is to be borne in mind in this con-
nection that a plan is now contemplated
and will probably be pressed for action
at this coming session of Congress for
the establishment of a District munich
pal center on the north side of Pennsyl-
vania avenue between Third and Seventh
streets. This project, when approved,
will leave for private use and develop
ment only the stretch from Seventh
street to Fifteenth, inasmuch as the
space from the Capitol park to Third
street will be included in the proposed
boulevard, linking the Union Station
Plaza with the Mall
1t is to be expected that with the
Government building program advanc-
ing on the south side there will be a
disposition on the part of the owners
Of private property on the north side
to improve their areas. They, however,
should not be compelled to wait in
definitely for the enactment of legisla-
ton which may place them under some
measure of restriction or guidance. 1t
Is due to them that they be given the
earliest possible assurance on the score
of their use of these lands. They
should be encouraged to proceed with
such Improvements as may be in con-
temptation, and to this end it is to be
hoped that agreement will be reached
upon such measure of control or guild
ance as is finally deemed desirable and
equitable in the premises.