Evening star., 1931-06-23
WISCONSIN AVENUE
WIDENING PUSHED.
Commissioner Assures Group
Work to Be Finished
by Early Fall.
sy stan correspondent of The star.

BY STAN correspondent OF Inc SJar'
BETHESDA, Md, June 23.-Widen-
ing and improving Of wisconsin ave-
nue. from the District of Columbia line
to Bradley lane, in accordance with
plans outlined by the Maryland-Na-
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and the wishes of citizens OF
that section, probably will be completed
by early Fall, County Commissioner
Robert D. Hagner assured the WlScon-
sin Avenue Suburban Commission last
night.
Commission is a co-ordinat1ng body,
created by the 13 local governmental
and civic organizations in the commun-
tiles Of Friendship Heights, Somerset,
Drummond,, Chevy Chase Gardens,
Chevy Chase Terrace and Kenwood, for
the purpose of sponsoring public I'M
provements for the area.
Quick Action Urged.
A delegation from the commission,
headed by Aubrey B. Carter, called on
Mr.. Hagner last night and urged that
Wisconsin avenue be improved before
the George Washington Bicentennlal
Celebration.
Mr.. Hagner explained that funds for
the project will be available shortly
from the sale of bond issues, and steps
will be taken Immediately for the &C
QUESTION of the necessary land ana tne
preparation of plans for the work.
He said that DR.. Benjamin c. Perry,
former county commissioner; County
Engineer Harry B. Shaw, and himself
have made a detailed survey OF WIS
consin avenue from Bradley lane TO the
District and noted every piece OF prop
erty which it is thought must be con-
demned.
the county commissioners, ADVISED
however. that each properly hOlae1 cVo,,
whose land is desired be called upon
and asked to dedicate the property. In
event of refusal, condemnation proceed
ings will be started, Mr.. Hagner de-
clared.
The county engineer contemplates
placing a surveying party on Wisconsin
avenue within a few days, ana prep
aration of specifications for the I'M
provements will follow, it was SAID:
Mr.. Hagner told the cltizens thaC
the county commissioners intend 10
enter into negotiations with the WASH
ington Railway & Electric co. WIN
a view to the removal from the center
of the avenue of the trony poles ano
the concreting and leveling OF the car
tracks.
sioners contemplate widening WlScon-
sin avenue to rs feet from curp 10
curb. 1t already has been decloed 10
Law a sidewalk on the west side OF the
avenue. he declared, and inquired II IT
was the wish of the citizens that
sidewalk also be constructed on the
east side.
Sidewalks to Be Urged.
While the organizations represented
by a number of delegates had taken
no action on this matter, 1t was the
consensus last night that sidewalks
e41ould be laid on both sides OF the
avenue at the same time.
Mr.. Hagner said he agreed that the
entire Improvement should be made
this Summer and Fall and particularly
that the land for the eastern sidewalk
should be acquired at this time since
the bulk of it is now in the possession
of two owners, the Chevy Chase Club
and the Chevy Chase Land Co., which
would facilitate negotiations. He in
formed the delegation that he had
planning to subdivide its property and
move its golf course farther north to
less expensive land.
Mr.. Carter assured the county COM
missioners that they would have the
backing and full cooperation OF the
citizens of communities contiguous to
Wisconsin avenue in carrying out their
plans.
He stressed particularly the value the
improved Wisconsin avenue would be
as the main gateway to Washington
from the north and west for tourists
coming to Washington for the Bicen-
fannial