Evening star., 1936-03-29
NEW POLICE COURT
BUILDING PLAN IS
READY FOR FUNDS
First Municipal Center Unit
to Be Built Is Among
Projects Approved.
COMMISSION CAN CALL
BIDS WHEN FINANCED
House Bill Provides 81, 500, 900
for Structure and Senate Is
Likely to Approve.

The way was paved yesterday for
construction Of new Police Court
building, the first unit of a municipal
center development, as soon as Con-
gress makes funds available, following
final approval of the plans by the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission
Nathan C. Wyeth, the municipal
architect, explained to the commits
sion details Of the development. in
Guiding the setback of the structures
from the thoroughfares and provision
for future widening of E and F streets
in Judiciary Square.
The new Police Court, the need for
which has been felt for a number of
years, is to be constructed on the
west side of Judiciary Square, near
F. street. Col. Daniel I. Sultan, Engi-
neer Commissioner of the District, an
ex-efflcio member of the commission,
told his colleagues the District gov
ernment would now be able to adver-
tise for bids for erecting the new
Police Court, just as soon as money
Is appropriated. The District appro-
priation bill. as passed by the House
provides s1.500.O00 for the structure
and Thomas S. Settle, commission
secretary, said yesterday that the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
handling the annual District supply
bill has indicated it will give ap-
proval to this program. If there is
no hitch. funds for the new Police
Court will be available July l.
Agreement Reached Quickly.
The planning commission recog'
nizes that no time should be lost II
launching the project and had little
hesitation yesterday in agreeing to Mr.
Wyeth's conclusion. Previously the
Fine Arts Commission had passed OF
the architectural features of the de-
velopment. DR.. Charles Moore, chair
man Of the Fine Arts Commission. sale
yesterday Mr.. Wyeth has executed g
fine piece of work in his plan for the
municipal center program. In addition
to the Police Court, the project call!
for future erection of new Juvenile
Court, Municipal Court and recorder
of deeds building-all to be placed II
Judiciary Square. with an appropriat.
square being provided by the boundar'
les Of these buildings.
The old Pension once Building, nov
housing part of the general account
ing Office at the north end of Judiciary
Square, will not be disturbed in tht
present municipal center program
The site of that building is contem
plated for use some years hence as tht
location for the future District of Co
lumbia Supreme Court Building.
Recreation Plans Favored.
At yesterdays session of the Plan
ming Commission, general approva
was given to number of plans fol
recreational development, submitted
by c. Marshall Finnan, superintendent
Of the National Capital Parks. Thes,
have been prepared in collaboration
with the Branch of Plans and Desigr
Of the National Park Service, Interio
Department. These include project.
for the Fort Drive in the vicinity O
Fort Davis and Fort Mahan, the Pet
worth playground, the Chevy Chas,
recreation center, the Hamilton play
ground and others.
Under the Districts new co-ordi
nator Of recreation, Lewis r. Barrett
these areas are expected to be i'm
proved shortly, with the assistance o
the National Capital Parks and pos
sibly with the aid of Works Progress
Administration workers, as rapidly a.
funds become available.