Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-02-27
PARK COMMISSION
STUDIES DISTRICT
WORKS PROGRAM
Revised Municipal Center
Plan Among Projects
Under Scrutiny.
INDEPENDENCE AVENUE
WIDENING DISCUSSED
Perusal of List of Proposed Jobs
Here Is in Line With P. W. A.
Policy.

Cooperating with the National Re-
search Board, the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission had
before it for consideration today a
comprehensive program of public
works for the District. setting forth a
list of physical projects without enter
ing into the financial Set-up. The list
was not made public.
A revised Municipal Center plan
submitted by Nathan c. Wyeth. mu-
nicipal architect. was up for discus
sion.
First on today's program was the
proposed widening of Independence
avenue near the Capitol. The COM
mission discussed this project, having
previously considered it with David
Lynn, architect of the Capitol
Sultan Presents Program.
The public works program was laid
before the commission by Col. Daniel
I. Sultan, Engineer Commissioner OF
the District. who is an eX-officio men,
Der of the planning body. John
Nolen. jr., director of planning, ex-
planned that it is an inventory made
up in cooperation with the National
Research Board, to obtain physical
list of projects with which officials
here might proceed under any kind OF
legislative Set-up that Congress might
enact. This is part of program be-
ing conducted all over the country
by Public Works Administration en-
gineerS and State Planning Boards
Inasmuch as the District does not
have a State planning board, the re-
search group has asked the Planning
Commission to act in that capacity
here.
Recently the commission has had a
special committee consisting of Col.
Sultan, Frederic A. Delano, the COM
missions chairman, and Arno B
Cammerer, director of the National
Park Service, who is also executive
officer of the commission. c. Mar
shall Finan, superintendent of the
National Capital Parks. was called in
which his Office is interested.
Civic Center Discussed.
Wyeth's plan for the Municipal Gen.
ter is in effect fifth scheme requested
by the commission. 1t shows the kind
of development that could be OBJ
tanned along Pennsylvania avenue if
the area south of c street were used
by the Federal Government There
are two blocks there, originally desig-
mated for the Municipal Center de-
veIopment. Inasmuch as sentiment
now is for less expensive municipal
center, the program has been put
forward to sell these two squares, with
the District government utilizing part
of Judiciary Square for civic buildings.
One proposal is to have a new
general accounting Office, now housed
in the Old Pension Office Building, on
judiciary Square, constructed along
Pennsylvania avenue on the District
owned property. Some observers sug-
gest an exchange of land between the
District and Federal governments I'M
der this set-up.
Delano arranged to inform his col
leagues on the commission about his
conference yesterday, looking to
program of unification for the Dis
trict's recreational facilities. He met
with spokesman of the District Com
r1issioners. Board of Education and
National Capital Parks.
Triangle Pylons Discussed.
Neither the District Commissioners
nor the Planning Commission had
heard of the kiosks and pylons pro-
posed for erection by the Treasury
Department in the Triangle prior to
the announcement in newspapers, Of
ficials said today. The question was
up for discussion as to whether they
are a menace to traffic and Col.
Sultan was prepared to talk on this
topic. The supervising architects Of
fee, procuring division, of the Treas
ury Department, had a spokesman
on hand. These kiosks and pylons
are planned as gateposts for the Tri-
angle, some on the curb line and
others on the building line along
Fourteenth, Twelfth and Tenth
streets, officials explained.
The commission had on its pro-
gram a number of land purchase
items in the District as we'll as Vir-
sinia unit No. /, in the George Wash
= ington Memorial Parkway, in the Vi
entity of the Key Bridge.
Stadium Report Ready.
A progress report on plans for a
large stadium on the banks of the
Anacostia River, at the end Of East
Capitol street, was ready for presen-
tation by Mr.. Finnan. He will relate
tentative conclusions reached by his
group.
The need for developing q CO.
ordinated plane for use of the grounds
near the tuberculosis Hospital site at
Upshur and Allison streets, Arkansas
and Iowa avenues, was stressed by
Nolen. Soon the District will vacate
that property, after the new tuber-
culosis hospital is constructed at
Glenn Dale, Md Nolen told the
commission a suitable plan should be
evolved with regard for all the in
terestS concerned and for its most
eficient use. In 1880 a Recreation
Committee made recommendations
that a recreation center should be
developed there. Now that the new
tuberculosis hospital is about to be-
come a reality, the commission feels
that plans for the old site should be
thoroughly investigated.
Fort Drive Plans Studied.
Further progress for development Of
Fort drive, in the vicinity Of the Paul
Junior High School, Eighth street
north of Concord avenue, is being dis
cussed by the commission during its
two-day session.
The commissions attention is being
directed to the Lee Boulevard plans on
the north side of Arlington National