Evening star., 1934-03-24
S|X-YEAR HIGHWAY
PROGRAM BEFORE
PLANNING GROUP
Proposed Changes in Plans
for Municipal Center Get
Little Support.
FUNDS TO Be SOUGHT
FOR PUBLIC STADIUM
Commission Reiterates Preference
for Gravelly Point as Avia-
! tion Field.

The projected six-year highway and
bridge construction program for the
District was before the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission
today for consideration, as the group
swung into its third day Of discussing
local problems.
The commissions suggestion that
plans for the Municipal Center might
be revamped to make them less pre-
tentious and increase chances of get
ting funds Immediately to begin con-
struction drew little support, mean
while, at the Fine Arts Commission.
No approach has been made to the
latter group, however, to have it re-
consider the plans that were approved
some time ago.
Seek Plans for Stadium.
The Park and Planning Commits
sion yesterday voted to ask the Pub
lie Works Administration for a SIS
600 ALLEGATION to begin plans fer
large public stadium at the end of
East Capitol street, on the banks of
the Anacostia River. 1t empowered
its executive officer, Arno B. Cam
merer, to request the fund for plans
for the stadium, which is to cost be-
tween S500,000 and 81 900, 900. The
commission made the point, however,
that the stadium would be big reve-
nue. producer and might we'll be self
nquloat1ng, permitting, as it would,
great water pagsants, sports events,
drills and other gatherings of public
moment.
The Chief Executive, as commander
in chief of the Army and Navy, could
order the stadium christened with an
Army and Navy foot ball game, the
Commission said. The program calls
for the stadium to contain 40 acres.
Inasmuch as a storm sewer is now
being constructed In that region, earth
being eXcavated could be used now
to begin building part of the stadium.
Horace w. Peaslee, local architect,
who is now associated with the Public
Works Administration. some time ago
drew preliminary plans for the pro-
Jected stadium, which, the Commits
sion said yesterday, would give Wash
ington one of its biggest needs from
park standpoint.
Favor Gravelly Point.
John Nolen, jr., director of planning
for the Commission, discussed plans
for the Gravelly Point airport and
the organization reiterated its prefer
ence for this location. E. A. Schmidt,
Senior on0innar ix, l1 Tns&
Engineer Office here. likewise discussed
the development. 1t is expected that
congressional hearings on this subject
will be held shortly and the Commits
sion will again express its stand in
favor of Gravelly Point airport.
The Commission authorized a rec
reational survey here. as proposed BY
the Council Of Social Agencies. A
special expert will be hired by the
commission in conjunction with the
National Recreation Association.
which has experience in hundreds Of
cities. The commission will REQUIRE
other groups here to cooperate in
the survey.
Plans were approved for construc-
ton of the George Washington Me-
mortal Parkway Highway from Ar
lington Memorial Bridge to Kew
Bridge. This. Thomas S. Settle,
commission secretary. explained will
relieve traffic and give access to
Theodore Roosevelt Island.
The projected parkway development
at Fort Humphreys. Va, providing
for riverside driveway and picnic
grounds will ho
Mr.. Nolan, Mr.. Settle and Mai. NAL
coin Elliott Of the Office of the chief
of Army Engineers, made a first hand
investigation of the subject recently.
Reports Progress in Rock Creek.
T. C. Jeffers reported on progress
being made in Rock Greek Park in
Maryland and the development of
roadways and bridges there. Plans
were approved for the Fort Drive from
Paul Junior High School to Fort
Slocum and from Barnard Hill to
BladenSburg road. Further study will
be given plans for lighting the Mall.
The commission gave favorable con-
sideration to development of the Pali-
sades Playground, of Conduit road.
H. P. Caemmerer, the Fine Arts
Commissions executive secretary, to-
day pointed out his organization ap-
proved municipal center plans that
would harmonic with the Federal
Governments building program on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue
The municipal center as at present
designed would occupy the area from
Third to Sixth streets and from Penn
sylvanla to Indiana avenues. The
cost of the projected plans has been
variously estimated from SIS 900 900
to S35 ,000, 900.
Secretary Ickes, as Public Works
Administrator, recently rejected a re-
quest for an initial allotment of s4,-
900, 900 to begin construction on the
Municipal Center. Frederic A. Delano,
chairman of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, and
his colleagues are proceeding on the
theory that revision in cost Of the
plans would enhance the chances of
securing Public Works Administration
funds, without delay, to begin the
work. The commissions consulting
architect, William T. Partridge, has
been commissioned to modify the
plans to create a more reasonably
priced development.
Mr.. Caemmerer, executive secretary
of the Fine Arts Commission, feels the
Municipal Center development should
be in keeping with the Governments
new buildings on the other side of
Pennsylvania avenue, particularly
where private industry Is required to
match Uncle Sam in building ele-
gance.