Evening star., 1935-05-04
GROUP PLAN URGED.
IN UNDERMINING
Leading Architect Suggests
Entire City Blocks Be In
cIuded in Program.

Group moderniZation OF entire city
blocks, in place of the present retail
program of the Federal Housing Ad-
ministration, is advocated by D.
Knickerbacker Boyd of the Philadel-
phia Chapter of the American Insti-
tute of Architects.
There are those who assert" Mr..
Boyd says. that too much new hous-
ing in any given section of a city
will upset the values of older homes
in nearby areas. Such a statement,
however, at once makes valid argu-
ment in favor of proceeding with such
O program. For the older properties
will then be in line for modernlza-
ton, not by each owner as an in
dividual, but by all owners in each
block collectively.
while such a procedure might be
but one part of the program IN those
cities which can offer plans for their
development, the block modernlza-
1lOU ledGulC SaAA NC PbAS @ANSO
ton in any city, and at once.
1.-THE recent enactment OF the Pres
ident,s huge work-relief bill will make
It possible for certain of our American
cities to correct some of the errors
of their thoughtless youth through
broad programs of rehabilitation. All
that would be required would be in
telUgent selection of locality, capable
direction and cooperation OF owners.
One House as a Model.
"After any block was determined
upon, a property could be selected and
ARRANGEMENTS made with its owner
to remodel with private funds or
through the Federal Housing Admins
tration loans. This house as 1t was
being improved could be constant
exhibit and afford an inspiration to
all other owners in the block and
neighborhood.
ITO carry out this idea of group
modernization, the Federal Housing
Administration might inaugurate a
new block program, as distinguished
from its present retail Set-up, where
by individual architects would be COM
missioned to handle each of the va
rious blocks assigned to them.
1T appears that property owners
and landlords for the most part loatn
to spend money for improvements
even though such expenditures would
be actual paying investments; but the
loss of tenants through competition OF
better buildings might do something
to stir up phlegmatic or recalcltrant
householderS.
"All this would bring private funds
into play and would put numerous
architects to work while at the same
time providing the small contractor
and subcontractors opportunities to
function and employ building crafts
men. Another fine thing about such
a program is that it can be Launched
at once.
Long Range Program Seen.
"It is hoped that these suggestions
will result in collaboration between the
various governmental agencies and
cities, and it is believed that, if car
ried out, these combined programs
would be q means of starting a long
range development of blghted areas,
for as the blocks are improved through
the yeals they will offer succession
OF WORE continually until the areas
are completely remodeled or rebuilt.
Thus would slums be eliminated and
at no great burden of expense to any
one at any time.
Each architect would be expected
TO show by photographs, sketches,
schedules of cost and rental estimates
the advantage of such block modern
ization. 1t is a known fact that many
owners of property now dilapidated
In an otherwise desirable block will
not modernize their houses individ-
ually. but would do so if assured that
practically all other owners in the
same block will do likewise.
ITO help induce the owners to take
part, the work of procuring the loans
might be lessened by having the
F. H. A. employees assist the owners
in this phase. Also for its immediate
labor producing factor, the local works
division of the Federal Emergency
Relief Administration could put men
to work demolishing the sheds, fences
and so on, and assisting in cleaning
up the open areas.
Some owners Of homes in almost
every block in any city are in posi-
tion today where, with renewed en-
ployment and restored wages, they
would like to improve their properties
but their paramount obligation Is to