Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-07

peCitlOI1 IOT COTHU1eTCIaI HOHINK WHICH N
That there is a clash between zoniI
to a head-on collisions clearly indica
The Star. with the aid Of Alton L. Well
underlying the Sixteenth street contest.
These statistics. gathered not with a
view to supporting either side OF the
Sixteenth street coming question so far
as this study is concerned. reveal, how
ever, facts that are well-nish amazing
to the uninitiated.
Assessments Compared.
Reduced to simple terms. statistics
gathered in this study show that cur
rent assessments on land on which
dwellings are located on Sixteenth
street between II street and Scott Cir
Gle range from 81 to $50 per square
foot.
In marked contrast to these figures,
the land assessments of residential sites
In flve of the citys most exclusive,
bon-to dwelling sections range from
SITS to S1l per square foot.
Study OF these statistics also shows
that current assessments on the sites of
apartment houses on lower Sixteenth
street range from $40 to 500 per square
foot, while the assessments on sites OF
nine apartment structures OF compa-
ThOlc vi HlOIC SACluSiVG
other sections of the city range from
81 IS to $40 per square foot.
Why is it that land values on lower
Sixteenth street are so much greater
than those of other sections where
there. admittedly has been much
greater demand for apartment and
dwelling sites? Why is 1t that apart
ment sites on Sixteenth street. where
business Is barred, have greater assessed
values than those In other sections
where business adjustments are al
lowed In apartment buildings. an ele-
ment which makes generally for in
creased investment values on such
buildings?
The Star, In its study sought and
obtained an answer from William p.
Richards. tax assessor of the District,
who is charged with the responsibility
of assessing land In the District at 100
per cent OF its market value. No ques-
ton was raised here as to the accuracy
of the assessors judgment. Mr. Rich
ards has survived many an appeal from
property owners as to assessment In
creases. The purpose Of the queries was
to discover the reason for the contrast
in the two groups Of figures.
Richards Gives Expla nation.
The explanation as readily given by
Mr.. Richards, Is found in the high and
rapidly increasing land values OF prop
erty in the downtown section border
ing or nearby this part Of Sixteenth
street. It should be remembered at
this juncture that Sixteenth street from
island OF residential zone surrounded
by areas zoned for commercial use.
Mr.. Richards frankly stated that the
fo Ut that SixfaAntN street iS restricted
to residential use cannot prevent the
higher values of nearby commercial
property from having q lifting influence
on the values of Sixteenth street prop
critics.
The possible future use" Of property
on lower Sixteenth street. he pointed
out has an influence on the value OF
Sixteenth street property.
One reason for the fact that the sites
of houses on Sixteenth street are as
sessed from 81 to $50 per foot. and
apartment house sites from $40 to $40
per foot, Mr.. Richards indicated. Is the
high value of surrounding property
having commercial use.
Zoning restrictions on property gen.
erally throughout the city, he said. nave
not been given predominant weight In
the making Of assessments on property
since coming restrictions, in numerous
street, have been changed.
Guided by Sale Prices.
The primary guide of the assessor
and his staff in making assessments on
properties Is and has been sale prices
paid for abutting or nearby properties.
This method he finds, has been the
best available general guide to mar
ket" value for assessment purposes,
though other elements come in for con-
siderat ton. OF course, In studying such
sale prices consideration is given to the
question OF whether the price quoted
forced to buy, and was accepted by o
seller, willing but not forced to sell.
Mr.. Richards reports that the Six
tenth street assessments were based
mostly" on sale prices Oh property IN
recent wears on Sixteenth street and
on nearby streets.
The nearness TO the White House OF
properties on lower Sixteenth street has
been seen by some as reason for the
assessor states definitely that this
esthetic value was not considered In
the assessments on this thorOughfsre.
The pressure Of the growing business
section of the city. which has gone
northwest from Fourteenth and
streets, north on Fourteenth, Fifteenth
and Seventeenth streets, west on II ana
X streets. particularly, leaping over the
zone on lower sixteenth
street and continuing up Connecticut
avenue. Assessor Richards said. has
been reflected inexorably In rising as
on Sixteenth street.
Doubled In Six Years.
A detailed inspection Of the statistics
gathered in The stars study OF the
case shows that assessments on lower
Sixteenth are not only high In compari.
son with other residential sections, Dut