Evening star., 1938-10-21
PLANNING GROUP
ACTS TO ACQUIRE
MORE PARK LAND
Condemnation Will Start
in Palisades Area Above
Key Bridge.
FORT DRIVE EXTENSION
ALSO MEETS APPROVAL
Transfer to Maryland Body Of
Funds for Rock Creek Unit 3
Given O. K.

Institution of condemnation pro-
ceedings for acquisition of land in
the Potomac Palisades region above
Key Bridge and for extension Of the
Fort Drive in Southeast Washington
between the Anacostia and Potomac
rivers was approved today by the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission
The commission also approved the
transfer to the Maryland Park and
Planning Commission OF funds for
purchase Of unit of Rock Greek Park,
from Connecticut avenue in Chevy
Chase to Garrett Park, Md. Taking
lines" for the Maryland unit have been
approved and the actual acquisition
Of land is expected to begin imme-
diately. This will extend the Rock
Creek Park as an unbroken unit from
the Potomac River to Garrett Park,
all Of unit 2, from the District Line
to Connecticut avenue. having been
acquired and partially developed.
The Potomac Palisades property to
be acquired extends from Key Bridge
to the District line north of the
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. which it
parallels. Acquisition of this property
has been an authorized project for
some time, the commission explained.
The land is expected to be developed
as a picturesque addition to the Dis
trict's park system. affording unusually
good views of the Potomac Valley.
Work on Airport.
Thomas S. Settle, secretary to the
commission. and John Nolen. jr, di-
rector Of planning, reported that they
are working with the Civil Aeronautics
Authority on plans for development of
the proposed Gravelly Point airport,
especially with regard to relocation of
q section of the Mount Vernon high
way approximately mile in length.
Public Works Administration funds for
airport construction there probably
will be allocated next week.
Mr.. Settle announced completion
Of the Lee boulevard. connecting the
Arlington Memorial Bridge with the
Lee highway at Falls Church, Va.
The final unit. from Columbia Island
to Arlington Ridge road. was opened
to traffic yesterday Mr. Settle ex-
planned that the Lee highway from
Falls Church to Centerville now is
being widened, completing a major
highway development from Centerville
directly to the Arlington Bridge. This
work already has resulted in easing
trafic congestion on M street in
Georgetown. Mr.. Settle said.
He reported that the first unit Of
the George Washington Parkway from
Key Bridge to Columbia Island has
been filled and graded and that road
construction will be completed by the
end Of the year, further improving
trafhc conditions between Virginia
and Washington.
Guests Of Motor Club.
Members Of the Commission were
guests of the D. c. Motor Club at a
luncheon at the Willard Hotel, where
Thomas Macdonald. chief Of the
Bureau Of Public Roads, described de-
felopment Of motor roads in Germany
This afternoon the commission will
consider revised plans for the pro-
posed War Department building group
in the new Northwest Rectangle west
Of the new Interior Department
Building These plans, to be submit
ted by the Treasury Department, call
for the closing of streets in the area
not heretofore considered for closing.
Funds for construction of the first
unit of the new War Department are
available and it is expected work may
begin before the end Of the year.
Nolen to Submit Report.
The commission also will consider
establishment of building lines for the
new central library in the District
Municipal Center and for an extern
sion to the National Museum. An
appropriation OF $50 900 ',as been made
for preparation of plans for the library
building, which is to be located at the
northwest corner Of Pennsylvania ave-
rue and John Marshall place NV.
Several street closing and land trans
Ter items are scheduled for considera-
ton this afternoon and the commits
sion also will pass on plans for sew
eral new gasoline filling stations.