Evening star., 1938-01-06
ARMORY-STAD|UM
PROJECT V|S|ONED
Planning Commission Sees
Major Development on
AnaCostia's Banks.

The projected new armory for the
District National Guard, for which the
budget estimates would provide S2l0,-
600 for purchase of a site, would form
part of the major development at the
end of East Capitol street, on the
banks of the Anacostia River, in which
a stadium would be the central fea-
ture, National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission officials said today.
Under the estimates, the $4,000
would be available for the acquisition,
in whole or in part, by purchase, con-
demnation or otherwise, of squares
numbered lib, 1,119, 1,125 and 1,l26,
in the District of Columbia, Northeast
section, bounded by c street on the
north, Nineteenth street on the west,
TWenty-first street on the east and A
street on the SOUTH" as site for the
armory. This would be expended un-
der the authority and direction of the
District Commissioners and continue
available until expended
$50 U. S. Acres Adjoin.
Thomas S. Settle, secretary OF the
planning commission, said the Fed
eral Government now owns $50 acres
along the banks of the Anacostia River
adjoining the projected armory site.
Studies made by the commission in
clude the armory as a major part Of
the whole development there. The
planners, Mr.. Settle said, believe the
National Guard can advantageously
utilize the immense drill field on the
river banks, on which pageants and
sports Of various kinds could be held.
The National Capital Parks officials
now are engaged in grading and filling
the future drill field.
recreational area, stadium capa-
BILE of holding upwards of 10000 per-
sons, plaza, a drill field and other
facilities are projected at the end of
East Capitol street, under plans of the
commission. This would be on either
side Of East Capitol street, along the
riverside.
Adjoining the park lands, the armory
would rise, If Congress approves the
estimates to start the project, on the
north side of the ambitious Develop
ment, officials said today. Four squares
would be devoted to the armory alone
in the program.
Speed Held Essential.
Mr.. Settle pointed out it is essential
that the area in question be brought
into public ownership without delay,
as real estate developments now are
in progress in that locality. Unless
the ground is purchased Immediately
1t will be more costly in the near fu-
ture, he declared
A new armory has long been advo-
Gated for the District. At the present
time the National Guard is utilizing
the old National Hotel at Sixth street
and Pennsylvania avenue NV, but
this Is considered unsatisfactory, as
officials say that there is insufficient
space for drilling properly.
Authorities declare the District has
long felt the need for a suitable
armory, and that the Nations Capital
should have such building, inasmuch
as smaller communities have imposing
buildings. In the vicinity of WASH
~AAoSoAA, 9AFCh oPA A1S, 1AC1lSLl6e VII anu
Hyattsville, in Maryland, and Alexan-
dria, in Virginia, have their National
Guard armories, officials said
Although building operations are
going forward on Nineteenth street
NE, in the area mentioned for
the armory. informed officials see no
great problem involved If the funds
for purchase Of land are forthcoming
without delay, before further headway
is made. They point out that under
the language of the budget item, the
armory site, bounded by the streets
mentioned, would be acquired "in
whole or in part" If enacted into
law, the item would permit the Dis
trict Commissioners to acquire the site
by purchase, condemnation or other
wise"