Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-18
MUNICIPAL CENTER
PLANS DISCUSSED
WITH Mr.. MELLON
Federal and District Officials
View Sketches, Including
Avenue Perspective.
ARCHITECTURAL PHASE
OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Commissioner Dougherty and Ar
chitect Harris Give Infor-
nation on Project.

Plans for the new municipal center
here were the subject of a conference
at the Treasury Department today be-
tween Secretary of the Treasury Mellon,
Chairman Dougherty of the Board of
Commissioners of the District and Mu-
nicipal Architect A. L. Harris.
A number OF architects sketches, in
Guiding new perspective from the
Pennsylvania avenue side, were looked
over by the officials representing both
Federal and District governments.
Secretary Mellon, who is charged with
responsibility of carrying out the Gov
ernment's gigantic Federal building pro-
gram, on which $290,000,000 has been
authorized by Congress, evinced deep
interest in the entire municipal project,
according to Commissioner Dougherty.
Mr.. Mellon went over the plans in detail
and asked large number of ques-
tions.
Interest in Architecture.
Mr.. Melons interest in the municipal
center, which is proposed to be located
on the north side of Pennsylvania
avenue on either side of John Marshall
place, is principally based upon the
architectural influence thus brought to
bear upon Pennsylvania avenue. On
the south side of Pennsylvania avenue
is to be a great monumental group of
buildings on the so-called Federal
triangle. Secretary Mellon, who Is con-
versant with questions of art and archi-
lecture from long personal experience,
both as a traveller and collector, has
looked forward with much anticipation
TO changing the appearance of Pennsyl-
vania avenue from its present state to
that of one Of the most beautiful streets
in the world. He found upon personal
inspection Of the municipal center plans
that they harmonic completely with
the general plans already in view for
Federal development on the other side
OF the Avenue. The municipal plans
have already been approved by the Fine
Arts Commission and the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Bill Reported Out.
A bill to authorize acquisition of four
squares of the municipal center has
passed the House, been reported out ia
vorably by the Senate District commit
tee and is now on the calendar of the
Senate. Commissioner Dougherty said
officials of the District government were
hopeful that with the support already
behind 1t this measure would be enacted
In time to have inserted in q deficiency
The new perspective which the Dis
trict officials showed to Secretary Mel
lon today is the most beautiful view
of the municipal center yet developed
by the architects Office. It shows the
four new municipal buildings constructs
ed on either side of a center court which
leads up to the present Courthouse The
view is from Pennsylvania avenue look
Ing north toward the Courthouse and
brings out in new significance the
beauty and strength of architectural
design of the present Courthouse build
ing. It is to be in a commanding DO
sition at the head of the court and on
ground higher than the rest of the CEN
ter. An additional series of broad stairs
has been added to the Courthouse
grounds lending more imposing and dig
niaed approach. In the center of the
court Is large pool and a fountain.