Evening star., 1938-06-08
PLANS FOR COURT
BUILDINGS READY
Start on Two D. c. Projects
Possible When P. w. AS
Terms Are LiberaIized.

Preliminary plans for immediate
construction, with Public Works Ad-
ministration funds, of either the pro-
posed new Municipal Court building
or q smaller building to house the
Juvenile Court and office of the re-
corder of deeds, or both buildings,
have been examined and approved in
readiness for final P. w. A. action.
1t was learned today
1t was explained that the necessary
loan and grant for one or both build
.ings probably could be made quickly
in event Congress enacts the pending
bill to enable the District to obtain
P. w. A. loan and grant projects on
equal terms with the rest of the
country.
P. w. A. officials explained, how
ever, that action on one or both of
the proposed buildings, which would
be erected in Judiciary Square, will
depend on the action of District Off
cials, who must determine whether
these projects will be given priority
over other proposed P. w. A. projects
for the District.
Pass p. w. A. Inspection.
Applications for both buildings have
been submitted to the Public Works
Administration and have been passed
by the various branches of the exam
lining division concerned with public
building projects. it was explained.
Under the terms OF the application
the proposed Municipal Court build
ing, which would be constructed on
the east side of the square. directly
opposite the new Police Court build
ing, and which would harmonic with
and balance that building, would
involve total expenditure of $780,
600. The application contemplated a
sl,050, 900 loan and a S450,0 900 grant.
The. preliminary plans call for
three-story building and basement,
similar in general design and appear
ance to the new Police Court building.
The plans for the combined Juvenile
Court Recorder of Deeds Building call
for four-story structure with partial
basement, to cost a total of s550.000.
This would include a $685. 900 loan
and a Sl65.000 grant. The building
also would stand on the east side of
the square, just south of the site for
the new Municipal Court structure.
Cost Revision Probable.
Under the terms of the pending
legislation, however, reallocation of
the proportions of loan to grant for
either or both projects probably will
become necessary. Further revision
of costs also may be necessary due to
increased costs of labor and materials
since the applications were filed, it
was explained.
The King bill, passed by the Sen
ate yesterday afternoon, would make
Washington eligible for public works
projects on the ratio of As per cent
grant and SIS per cent loan, repayable
in 25 years by annual installment.
At present. the District is restricted
to the old ratio of 80 per cent grant
and 10 per cent loan, and it was on
this ratio the applications for both
proposed Judiciary Square projects
were made
D. c. Preference Indicated.
1t was explained that the Public
Works Administration would be in
clined to grant preference to District
projects on which construction could
begin at once, and that this policy also
might prove to be controlling factor
in the decision as to the Judiciary
Square projects.
Additional courthouse construction
for the District is regarded as an
urgent need because of present con-
gestion in the District Court Building,
which would become serious if pro-
posals to increase the size of the
bench by the addition of three more
justices are carried out
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission already has ap-
proved preliminary plans for the pro-
posed Municipal Court and Juvenile
Court Recorder of Deeds Buildings.