Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-15
BY DONALD A. CRAIG.

Construction of the new Government
buildings with self-contained space for
automobiles of the employees of each
building, to be furnished for all-day
parking at a small charge to cover OPP
Grating expenses and part of the con-
Struction coSt-the whole not to exceed
what is termed a reasonable" rate-iS
the solution of the parking problem for
automobiles of Government employees
recommended by the Automobile Park
ing Committee of Washington after its
careful study of all phases of the ques-
ton.
The committee started out with the
realization that the great number Of
Government employees who use motor
cars to come and go to the departments
in which they work, especially in the
so-called Government triangle, where
buildings now are being erected, Is one
Of the most important problems it must
solve.
This proposal, according to the COM
mittee, is directly in line with many
notable examples of Federal buildings
throughout the country. where in con-
Struction they have taken definite
leadership in the provision of off-street
loading facilities. This is particularly
noteworthy in connection with Federal
Reserve Bank buildings and has long
been generally practiced in post office
construction.
Principle Established.
with respect to physical exteriors,
the proposal is in no manner inconsts-
tent with the beauty or utility Of the
design as advanced" says the commit
tee. Provisions have been made in
connection with several of the triangle
group buildings to provide vehicular
connections between adjacent roadways
and interior courts, and, indeed. vehici-
lar ramps have been provided leading
from court to basement level. The
handling of commercial movements, as
well as provision for parking facilities,
would seem to urge an expansion OF
these tentative provisions. The prin-
ciple of providing parking space in con-
nection with the structures has been
definitely established in limited man
ner through provision for space for 10
vehicles in the new Internal Revenue
Building"
Studies thus far indicate that the
total employee demand for more than
5000 parking spaces can be provided
within the group as now designed with
but a slight limitation upon available
office space.
1t is recommended that garage facili-
ties be incorporated providing for stor-
age space of approximately 1000 cars
in each of five buildings composing the
group.
THE garaging space should occupy
such part of the basement area as can
be reserved from movements requiring
the handling of materials" adds the re-
port. In addition the structure should
extend upward in the center OF the
building to a height equal to approx
mately the fourth or fifth floor level, oc-
cupying the entire court and such space
in the building proper as would other
wise be devoted to the interior tier Of
Offices. Above the garage level the
normal floor plan Of Office space should
be resumed.
Has Many Advantages.
"It will be noted that this recon-
mendation has numerous advantages.
The major part Of the garage area Is
composed of court space not available
I for office occupancy. The ONCE space
eliminated by the extension of the ga
rage structure into the building proper
eliminates the ONCE space which is the
least desirable from the standpoint OF
heat light and ventilation. The height
OF the garage structure is such that
large volume, high-speed ramps, suit
able for self-parking, can be used. Al
no point would the garage structure be
exposed to the exterior of the building
the only possible evidence of its exist
ence SO far as dsign Is concerned would
be the entries, which in principle are
already incorporated in the building de-
sign. There is no question but that
reasonable provision in design and con-
Struction would eliminate any possible
disadvantages which the garage might
have because of its proximity to work.
ing space"
This plan makes ample provision, II
is held, for the efficient handling of all
materials without any possible disturb
ance of street traffic or the occupants
ton with official business conducted In
the building and those adjacent would
have permanent and convenient hous-
| ing Executive officers would have
! available space for personal cars used
in connection with official business OF
| personal transportation. The 5000
cars daily used by employees in the Tri-
angle group would have ADEQUATE ho.ls.
| ing, in convenient location to theil
owners work.
There would be permanent protec.
| ton against parking pressure resulting
| in a distorted use or development o!
the Government areas within or ada
cent to the triangle" says the com.
mittee.
"It is apparent that the Government
Is under no legal obligation to its EN-.
ployes to facilitate any means of trans
| portation which they may desire II
use 1t is equally apparent however
that the concentration of Government
employees in the triangle group, il
view of the large percentage of motoi
| cars used, creates a critical transporta,
ton problem which it is probable can
not be handled in satisfactory man
ner other than by constructive Gov.
eminent action. In the study of Gov.
eminent employees transportation habit
| 22,815 indicated that they were owner
| of automobiles and that 1884, or 23t
per cent of the total reporting, reported
that they used their automobiles as
regular means of transportation =
work.
Some Willing 10 Pay.
"The question was asked of the own
| ers of automobiles as to how much the,
would be willing to pay for the use 0
conveniently located garage, II stree
space were not available.
1 HfNf che total ~ a1E nuyY1arr ~ aIIta