Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-20
OLD COURTHOUSE
ORDERED REPLACED
Entirely New Building at
Rockville Will Be Munich.
pal Center.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
staff Correspondent Of The Star.

ROCKVILLE, Md, July 20.--Wlth
vision before them of Montgomery
County becoming one of the greatest
metropolitan additions to a greater Capt.
tai of the United States in general, and
of this town, looming in Importance rs
the seat of government, in particular,
men who have been actively associated
with the phenomenal progress OF the
county during the past few years, rep
resented in the courthouse building
committee. as recently enlarged, late
yesterday gave large general order
for new county building, which would
be far in ADVANCE of the present EtrideS
in the county and would set as center
point for the predicted development CT
the future in the county and town.
Old House to Be Strapped.
With one stroke, the committee de-
cided that the present courthouse build
ing must be thrown on the scraD heap
to make way for modern construction.
Not even sentiment for the historic Old
building, now crowded out Of its useful
era by the advancing Importance Of this
county could save any part of it to be
This new structure, the committee de-
cided will be of white limestone
throughout, and the general order given
to the architects was for long. low
structure to occupy the site to be made
by the present square and the area to
the west soon to be acquired by con-
demnation, and to be united by the
closing of Court street by authority Of
the town council here The progressive
march of the county has also sounded
the coming abandonment of the present
tail by the provision of modern living
conditions for the counts prisoners in a
new jail to be made a part OF the pro-
posed new building.
While the projected structure is re-
ferred to as the courthouse 1t will really
combine all the features of a modern
municipal building. In addition to the
house of justice, it will house all OF
the county government Offices and will
provide modern facilities in the way
of hearing rooms and Offices for the
board of county commissioners, the
police headquarters, tax and other
municipal and county offices.
Survey of Town Planned.
As a part Of the county building
project. instructions were given for
complete survey of the town. with the
idea of planning its future development
in conjunction with the proposed new
structure. Irving c. Root. chief eugi-
neer of the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, who
attended the conference, vas instructed
to take steps to have this study made,
in cooperation with the mayor and
council Of the town, and he was asked
particularly to request the services OF
Charles w. Eliot, I'd, city planner of
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission, in this important
task.
Although the proposed building prof.
ect. which the committee considered.
is to be designed to take care OF the
business of the county for many years,
nevertheless the committeeman are even
looking beyond this, and proposed to
plan far in advance of this, so that
future expansion will not be beset with
the ccstliness experienced by other cities
and towns.
For three hours the committeeman dis
cussed the project and they had before
them tentative exterior and interior
plans for the proposed new building
which were prepared by architects.
These served merely as a basis of dis
cussion and were not in any way APP
proTed, the building shown in the de-
sign being declared to be too high. The
final action of the committee was for
a long, low building. which would be
set off properly by the new site and
which would prove attractive to the
people passing along the national high
way on which 1t is to be located.
The decision to have survey made
of the entire town in connection with
the site was prompted by statement
of D. H. Smith Of Washington, consult
ing architect, in connection with the
District of Columbia Courthouse. Re
ferring to this. he said that it was
meant to be located on Pennsylvania
avenue. but that funds were not avail
able for the purchase of such an i'm
portant site. AS result, the building
was erected at the far end of squalid
commons which occupied the space that
is now John Marshall place. Its near
est neighbors were a few disreputable
sheds and, yet" he continued I'VE
see it today at the head Of a dignified
vista which is to become the center of
a great group of buildings. No one in
ington. In a similar way, you are
building for future which will prob
ably Surpass any prophecy that could
be made today.
Would Avoid Mistakes.
at Is, therefore, advisable to avoid in
so far as possible any present mistakes
in the development of streets, the plan
ming of public improvements and In the
architecture of buildings. During the
past year have become acquainted
with some Of your problems as related
to the Court House. Some progress I'M
doubtedly has been made. but, in my
opinion. no satisfactory solution to the
problem has been reached. Otherwise.
I should not be making the suggestion
that you go back to new start on GER
tain fundamentals before undertaking a
detailed discussion of the plans
Mr.. Smith said that it was of prime
Importance that the building should be
conceived in style and on scale that
will be fit for its position and uses, and
added that the building should be as
near perfect as can be made for the
price, not a casual sort Of structure that
might be found in any other place of
the size.
THE time for action brings with it
the feeling that divergent ideas should
be merged in an attempt to get the best
possible court house. he continued. 1T
also brings to you the responsibility of
organizing your committee and its
agents for getting the best results. For
time at least, there should be q
sTna1'fr subcommittee to work in almost
dan intact with the architect or
archI ets who should be the best avail
able. This subcommittee should make
periodic reports to your general commit
tee which would lay down all broad
policies, such as present and future
needs Of each department, allowances
for growth, present and future environ
ment and coming, mode or style of arch
itecture, materials of construction, build