Evening star., 1938-04-19
Auditorium
Continued From First PaRe)

should be constructed in the City Of
washington a national multiple-use
| auditorium to accommodate both Fed
eral and non-Federal activities The
recommendation for the use of the
auditorium for non Federal activities
Is based on the fact that Washington
has definite and immediate need
for an auditorium which will accom-
modate national on-governmental
conventions. both commercial and
non ou-commercial In character. 1t is
also believed that the Federal require
ments for large auditorium are defi-
nitely limited and that the utilization
OF the auditorium by non-govern-
mental activities when not needed for
Federal purposes will constitute 4
source OF revenue to pay for the main
tenance and operations.
Sports Included.
THE governmental uses, which
it is believed will not affect the
national character Of the auditorium
carefully controlled, should in
clude gatherings and mass meetings
OF patriotic. civic. fraternal religious
and political organizations. commercial
conventions. which annually convene
here, numbering approximately 100
and having total attendance OF
los 900 people: symphony orchestras,
grand operas, and certain sports. such
as ice carnivals, which would not
detract from the national character
Of the auditorium.
1T is not recommended that sports
be included only IS Z secondary fea-
ture and not at all If they compete
or conflict in any way with the more
important functions Of 4 national
character. There are certain types
OF sports, however. which apparently
could be conducted in the auditorium
without impairing the operation and
emciency Of the structure or de-
tracing from its dignity. Investi-
cation Of various auditoria disclose
that, at the present time. 1t Is q
standard practice to build one re-
frigerating unit which Is used in
the summer for afr conditioning and
In the winter for the manufacture
Of ice for hockey and skating.
Engineers and architects, who are
experienced in the design and con-
struction Of modern auditoria believe
that the maximum seating capacity
should not exceed $4,000 or 10000.
These seating limitations are deter
mined In order to insure q satisfactory
seat to every person in attendance.
Accommodate 4e,sss.
I'm addition to the main auditorium,
additional seating should be provided
IN conference rooms, exhibition halls
and other rooms in order to accom-
modate $4,000 to 10000 people under
one roof. Approximately $1,000 square
feet Of exhibition space should be
provided to accommodate the needs of
governmental and non-governmental
agencies using the auditorium. Mod
ern auditoria have been designed to
include music hall. acoustically per-
fected 50 as to be completely satisfac-
tory for opera and symphony con.
certs, and to seat 5000 persons.
AFTER considering 10 sites, 1t is rec
commended that the proposed audito-
rum be located in the Municipal Gen.
ter, at Constitution avenue and Third
street. This site Is particularly ad-
vantageous, rs it is located in the
downtown area and is readily accessible
to the Union Station. hotels and pub
lie buildings. Parking facilities are
not available in the areas adjacent to
the Municipal Center. but it is not
believed that this is an item Of mate
rial Importance. in view Of the fact
that the majority Of people attending
conventions arrive in the city by train,
plane or bus.
"The Municipal Center site Is now
owned by the District Of Columbia
and 1t Is suggested that the municipal
government donate the land as . con-
tribution to the cost Of the auditorium.
It is estimated that the total cost Of
the structure, exclusive Of land. will be
approxnately eS,ooo, ,0oo."