Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23
LOW-RENTH HOUSING
PROJECTS FOR D. c.
WILL Be MODELS
13-Acre Tract on Benning
Road Selected for COL
ored Residents.
RECREATION FACILITIES
TO BE ONE OF FEATURES
Three Developments, Now Under
Way Here, to Provide Homes
for 1900 Families.
BY NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.

bI NELSOTN vi. nEFAhDs
Washington's three low-rent hous-
ing projects for which the Public
Works Administration has allotted a
total of S8,100,000, officials said today, =
are aimed at making the National
Capital a model Of social planning
for the improvement of living con-
ditionS among workers of low income
Administrator Ickes' announcement
yesterday that modernly- equipped
living units for 1923 colored families
would be constructed at a cost of ST.
100000 on Benning road northeast
about completes, he said, the housing
divisions program for Washington.
In keeping with a policy Of with
holding information about housing
projects until sites are obtained, his
decision to undertake third develop
ment here was carefully guarded from
the public.
The 13-acre site on Benning road,
for which Mr.. IckeS has ordered the
acceptance of bids, is bounded by the
proposed extensions of Twenty
fourth street, H and Eye streets. 1t
faces a new colored community and
has the advantages of being in close
proximity to grammer, junior high
and vocational school. A new high
schools, officials said. Is under con-
sideration for the area.
Homes for 1000 Families.
The three housing developments,
officials said. will provide homes for
approximately 1000 families at rem
tails comparable to those now being
paid for deteriorated houses in Gen.
trail Washington.
The projects will distribute in Wash
ington a pay roll of $2.615 900 for
direct labor at the sites and another
pay roll of $2,l22,924 for what is
termed indirect labor. some Of which
viii be spent here. officials estimated
that 2,789,049 man hours of labor will
be provided in construction. That
estimate is on the basis of one hour
per man.
Labor engaged in construction will
be paid the prevailing wage scale"
in Washington for both common and
skilled labor. That means tEc regular
union scale in accordance with
P. w. A. regulations. Indirect labor
includes employment engaged in the
fabrication of materials, architects
and transportation.
Tied in with the alley clearance
program. Kingman Terrace. on Ben
ming road. will provide homes for COL
g.
alley habitations now being demol-
ished under act of Congress The
same is true, it was said, Of the COL
ored project planned for the South
west section in the vicinity Of the
Washington Barracks.
Finding of Homes Problem.
One of the big problems of the Dis
trict Alley Authority is to find suitable
homes for the tenants forced to move
from alley dwellings. This factor.
more than anything else has delayed
the alley clearance program in the
city.
Like the proposed development for
white families in Anacostia, approved
earlier in the week, Kingman Terrace
will have unusual recreational fea-
lures. Only about one-hfth of the
l3-acre tract will be devoted to build
ings. The remainder of the area will
be Handicapped and equipped with park
areas and Fairgrounds. All apart
ments and houses built within the
area will have ample lawns.
Designs for Kingman Terrace call
for construction of 90 three-room fats,
81 two-room apartments, 43 three
room apartments and 167 four and
five room row houses.
Recreational Facilities Planned.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and the Office
of National Capital Parks are plan
ming additional recreational facilities
for the area. The site also is con-
venient to the proposed municipal
stadium and National Guard Armory
at the end of East Capitol street,
bordering Kingman Lake.
The Housing Division of P. w. A.
already is receiving numerous inquiries
from prospective tenants of the three
local developments. Architects have
not been engaged as yet, so no definite
information as to actual date OF con-
struction can be given now. Condem-
nation proceedings, the outcome Of
which are uncertain, will mean a con-
siderable delay in the southwest prof.
ect getting under way. The Govern
ment is not facing this handicap, how
ever, with respect to the other two
projects and they will be expedited
as much as possible