Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-27
MAJ. ATKINS URGES LAUNCHING
OF MUNICIPAL CENTER PROJECT
District Building Appraised at $5,300,OOO
in Proposed Development of
Civic Program.

District Supreme Court Building, will
harmonic in scale and style with the
architecture of that building.
The District Supreme Court Build
ing, located at the head of John
Marshall place, is one of the most
charming and beautiful relics Of early
Washington. 1t was designed in 1920
by George Hadfield, an English archi-
tect, for use as city hall. Hadfield
came to this country in 1875 to assist
DR.. Thornton, who was at that time in
charge of the building OF the United
States Capitol.
"The corner stone of this building was
laid August %, 1920, and 1t is inter-
esting to note the following from the
mayors proclamation on this occasion:
IAN edifice devoted to municipal
purposes. to be the seat of legislation
and of the administration Of justice for
this metropolis whcl 1t will have
reached its destined populousness, and
. to be erected on scale
worthy of the uses for which it is in
tended. Also to be constructed
with a view to durability which will
extend beyond the age of any of the
living. not one of whom will ever wit
ness the recurrence of such an event as
the laying of the foundation of this
appointed to erect this hall, I there
fore invite you to witness a ceremony so
rare in its occurrence that it will be
an era in our history, and withal so
interesting to all who take an interest
in the welfare of the city founded by
the departed Washington
Prophecy Borne Out.
'The truth of this prophecy has been
borne out, and 1t is most fitting that
our proposed municipal center should
have the Supreme Court Building as
its central motif We thus return to
/, the early City Hall to develop our plans
for a splendid civic center for the
future.
THE estimated cost of acquiring the
four squares in this site Is $500 900.
1t is proposed to purchase all of the
site at the earliest possible date, and
to proceed with the erection of build
ing on the northwest square. bounded
by John Marshall place, G street, Sixth
street and Louisiana avenue, to accom-
modate the three courts and the Re-
corder of Deeds.
What are the advantages of the site
selected and the establishment thereon
OF group of municipal buildings which
viii provide accommodations for all of
the city's departments?
In my opinion, they are as follows:
Il. Low Cost OF Land.-The site is
located in what is now one of the least
desirable sections of the city, and can
be bought at a very reasonable price.
Inere are very few expensive buildings
to purchase.
%. Convenience Of Location.-The
city departments would be conveniently
lnRafnd YnfA -
governmental departments and the
Capitol, so that business could be car
rled on with the maximum of efficiency
and ease.
More Reasons Cited.
80. Economy Of Building Costs.-The
Capitalization Of the various functions
OF the District government in one group
of buildings tends toward a lower cost
OF construction than would be possible
with the erection of separate buildings
at different locations.
a. Economy of Administration and
Observation-Disclosures and control
would be more direct and efficient in a.
closely knit organization than in diff
ferent buildings widely separated. Like
wise, the operation and maintenance
would be less costly and more efficient.
IS. Expresses Importance of City
Government-In a group of important
buildings the civic life of the city would
be exemplifed, and the city govern
ment, as distinguished from the Federal
Government, would find adequate and
proper expression.
IS. A Logical Location In Harmony
With the Federal improvement Program.
This location will serve as a diqnified
and harmonious link between the Fed
eral buildings south of PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, Judiciary Square to the north
and the Capitol Plaza development to
the east. 1t will also be big step in
the development of the proper treat
ment OF the north side Of Pennsylvania
Avenue.
Purchase Four Squares.
"a bill authorizing the development
OF these four squares as a municipal
cent?: was drafted by the District Com
missioners and submitted to the Budget
Bureau during the last session of Con-
gress. When transmitted to Congress
by the Budget Bureau the bill was
changed to cover only two squares.
Through the able support of Mr.. I'm
derhill and Mr.. Simmons in the House
OF Representatives and of Senator
Smoot in the Senate, both of these
houses amended the bill to authorize
the purchase of the full four squares.
Requests for appropriations to pur-
chase the land will be made in our next
appropriation act, and it is expected
that this splendid group of buildings
will begin to take definite form by the
erection, of the courts building in the
near future.
In conclusion, the municipal center
VIII form q vital part in the Federal
development of Pennsylvania avenue
and in the Identification of Washing
ton. The city win do its part to carry
on the great work begun by Washing
ton, Jefferson and L'Enfant to estab-
llsn on the Potomac the most beautiful
ana impressive capital in the world"