Evening star., 1938-08-14
Problems Facing Development of East Capitol Street
Are Receiving Close Study Of Planning Commission

confronting the National CAPITAL
Park and Planning Commission in
It's studies TOR the rehabilitation OF
East Capitol street are set forth in
this article. as iDel as the pdried
considerations entering into the
studies and methods employed in
the approach to the architectural
side OF the problem. The opinions
expressed are the personal ones OF
Mr.. Partridge.
BY WILLIAM PARTRIDGE,
Consulting Architect. National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
'"The present monumental de-
velopmert Of the city lies west of
the Capitol. This building faces
east. The National Capital Park
and Planning Commission proposes
the creation of . monumental bou-
levard extending from this east
front to the river, dedicated to the
several States and to be known
- the Avenue of the States
The central feature, emphasized in
the L'Enfant plan--now Lincoln
Park-will become Independence
Square, surrounded by the build
ings OF the Thirteen Original States.
A national stadium is proposed at
the eastern terminal Of this ave-
nue., instead of the plaza and bridge
shown on L'Enfant's plan"
The above terse description, written
10 years ago, marked the first step in
the studies of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission for
the rehabilitation of that long-neglect-
ed section Of the city lying east of the
Capitol
The accomplishment Of any plan
OF such magnitude must OF necessity
proceed progressively. Practical as
well as monumental considerations
must be weighed.
Problems Are Complex.
Recent publication in The Star Of
a series of articles on the rehabilita-
tion OF this eastern section OF the city
has given the public some idea Of the
complexity of the problems before the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission in attempting the develop
ment of this area and has set forth
some of the factors entering into that
right solution which the planning au-
thorities have been trying to bring
about for these 10 years.
This article will give a more de-
tailed account OF the studies for East
Capitol street itself, and the means
employed in order to arrive at the
best solution; an intimate picture of
the methods OF study employed by
the staff of the commission, and the
illustrating of all of the factors enter
ing into the problems-by means of
plans. perspectives and study models,
not alone from an aesthetic point of
view, but from all the varied aspects
Of modern complex city planning.
In approaching this problem Of
restoring the eastern section to a
degree comparable to the correspond
ing area west Of the Capitol, the first
step is the study of the historical
background Of the city-the original
plan Of which is world renowned.
Followed Orientation.
The design of L'Enfant's Capitol is
unknown, but from his descriptions
and from evidence contained in his
reports, 1t is believed he intended to
face the building east. Thornton
followed this orientation In his design.
L'Enfant's plan shows the building
approached by wide street 160 feet
in width and also indicates q bridge
over the Anacostia River-then known
a. Eastern Branch. This bridge was
marked by large plaza into which
entered Massachusetts, and South
Carolina avenues-both Of which were
afterwards omitted in the simplifica-
ton Of this first plan Of L'Enfant by
President Washington. This plaza Is
recalled In today's project.
Half way to the Capitol, or Con
gress House." many radial avenues
were eliminated In . point. Here
L'Enfant proposed an historical COL
umn-to be used as a zero milestone.
Az the present zero" milestone in the
Ellipse already serves this purpose
practically, substitute will undoubt-
edly be found for this monumental
feature. The present rectangular
Lincoln Park now occupying this site
was laid out with utter disregard of
the original plan.
From this point to the Capitol L En-
FAINT proposed to place sidewalks under
srcades into which shops were to open.
This Is not possible today but it illus
trates the importance in L'Enfants
mind Of the street approaching the
Capitol and bears out his intention to
make this an important section of the
city.
Wide Roadway Narrowed.
During one of the spasmodic at
tempts to improve the Capitol, the
wide roadway OF 80 feet proposed by
LEnfant was narrowed to so feet and
eln1s planted on Gather side. These
have now so grown that they form
veritable arch and block the vista of
the Capitol. In their present plan
for the rehabilitation of East Capitol
street the Commission is faced with
the crucial question of the destruction
OF these existing trees. Shall this
heritage of the past-this stately ave-
nue. of elms be sacrificed for mere
architectural effect? Shall this verit-
able forest aisle be spared to the
detriment Of a future monumental
development? However beautiful this
avenue of elms may be-and it is
verita BILE cathedral nave of green-it.
nevertheless. obstructs the very vista
for which the street was originally
designed
The present formal treatment of the
Mall involved the moving and cutting
OF mature trees of great beauty which
aroused such storm Of protest that