Evening star., 1933-09-03
DISTRICT PUSHING
FIGHT TO BUILD
FIRST CENTERUN|T
81, 100000 Grant by Works
Administration Would Give
1900 Work.
HOUSING FOR MANY
AGENCIES is NEEDED
Police, Municipal and Juvenile
Courts, Police Department and
Recorders Office Need Space.

The urgent need Of the District gov
eminent for more modern and adequate
accommodations for some of its scattered
and wretchedly housed agencies has led
the Commissioners to continue their
efforts with renewed vigor before the
Public Works Administration for q
grant of s4.6O0,0O0 to construct the first
unit of the proposed municipal center.
The initial unit, which has been ap-
proved by Congress, but never built.
would house the Police, Municipal and
Juvenile Courts, the Police Department,
and the Office of the Recorder of Deeds
Most of these activities are now located
in cramped, antiquated quarters, on
either rented or municipality owned
property.
The so-called Courts Building in the
ritnicipal center area was authorized
at cost of SIS, 400, 900 in the 1882 ap-
preparation act. Only about S500,000
was made available for beginning con-
struction, but the Districts financial
situation was such that it was found
inadvisable to go ahead with the build
ing with District funds.
The District already has spent an
enormous sum on the project in acquir-
ing the four-sQuare site, and preparing
plans fc the Courts Building Alto
gether IT, investment thus far has
totaled about $4,000, 900, of which $780,
900 was spent on the plans. and the
remainder for the property. Except for
two lots, now in condemnation, the
entire site has been acquired.
Space Pressingly Needed.
The pressing need for suitable &C
commodationS for the courts and the
Police Department is the primary cause
Of the activity of the Commissioners in
seeking Federal funds for the project.
Another reason is that its construction
a. this time will provide work for about
1000 Washington men year. in addi-
ton to aiding the various fabricating
plants in various parts of the country.
Aside from these vital factors, it is
pointed out that the building would ma
terially improve the appearance of low
er Pennsylvania avenue, where the Fed
eral Government is now pushing its de-
velopment program. In its present con-
dition, the municipal center site Is moi
only unsightly, but the city losses money
every day that this expensive property.
now withdrawn from taxation, remains
idle.
view dCCOIIllIlUudllOIlS lOI lllc 1O1lCs
Court is one of the most serious needs.
Conditions at the court due to over
crowding have been criticized for years.
In fact, Congress passed legislation at
one time providing for a new Police
Court Building. but construction was
held in allegiance waiting on develop
ment of the municipal center scheme.
The case of the Office of the record
er of deeds was similar. Congress also
authorized the construction of build
ing for the recorder of deeds, but this
project also was held up on account of
the proposed municipal center devel-
opment.
Now on Fifth Street
The Office of the recorder is now
located in the Century Building on
Fifth street. on which the District pays
a rental of $4,000 a year. In this
building all of the valuable land records
of the District are kept.
The Municipal and Juvenile Courts.
the Police Department and the Traffic
Department. are all located in buildings
owned by the District in the municipal
center area. The only agency in this
group which has adequate and modern
quarters is the Traffic Bureau. which
is housed in the Ford Buildipr at John
Marshall place and Pennsylvania ave-
nue..
The Police Department. in particular.
is suffering from the lack of space in
an old red-brick building at 462 indiana
avenue. The building which houses
the Municipal Court in the 300 block
of c street, not only is too small for
its normal functions, but it is in bad
need Of repair. The recent tropical
storm showed its weakness to abnormal
weather conditions.
The Juvenile Court. on Louisiana ave-
nue. near the Police Department head
quarters, likewise needs additional
space and more up-to-date accommo-
dations.
With construction of the proposed
Courts Building, the housing problems
CT all these activities would be auto
matically solved.
In urging Federal funds for the
project. the Commissioners take the
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