Evening star., 1938-03-30
OFFERS
DOWN PAYMENT
TO SAVE PARKWAY
Board Earmarks $1,000 to
Bind Agreement Pending
Fund Collection.
COUNTY HARDLY ABLE
TO GIVE $50, 900 NOW
Credit for Land to Be Sought as
Well as Contributions-Settle
Sees Plan as Acceptable.

Sees Plan as Acceptable.
The Arlington County Board made
an offer to the Federal Government
today to bind an agreement whereby
the county eventually would benefit
by extension OF unit No. 2 Of the
George Washington Memorial Park
way up the Spout Run Valley.
The proposal, adopted unanimously,
provides for impoundment of $4,000
in county funds until a satisfactory
settlement is reached on an exchange
of tract of county land near Ross
lyn and contributions by citizens.
Under this proposal the board felt it
would be in position to obtain
eventually the s5O,O0O appropriated
by the Virginia General Assembly
which would be matched by 100000
from the Federal Government con-
tingent on Arlington County putting
up S50000.
Action was taken at the board meet
ing following an earlier session of
members who were fearful the park
way project would be lost to the
county unless some definite binding
agreement was arranged.
Seen as a Sacrifice.
The County Board adopted a ST.
524,128 budget for the next fiscal year,
effective July 1. OF this amount s499,-
859 is for school purposes No change
was necessitated in the existing s27O
tax rate. A resolution offered by Free
land Chew contained the proposal on
the parkway, as follows:
Whereas, the County Board OF Ar
lington County deems it is in the best
interest Of the citizens of the county to
cooperate with the Federal and State
Governments in the construction of
Unit No. 2 of the George Washington
Memorial Parkway development,
Whereas, the board feels that the
necessary capital outlay is such that it
cannot be absorbed in our annual bud
get without depriving the citizens of
badly needed essential services, or in
creasing the present tax rate, both
methods being undesirable at this
time; now. therefore, be it
Resolved, That the sum of $4,000 at
present allocated for right Of way pur-
poses, together with 81 900 from the
contingent fund, both of which items
appear in the budget, be set aside
and not used until such time as the
board has gone further into the matter
with view to obtaining
Proposal Adopted.
81. Credit from the Federal Govern
ment for certain land now owned by
the county within the proposed park
way development, based upon a fair
appraisal and,
%. Contributions in cash or other
wise necessary to make up the balance
of the $50,000 required as the county's
share. from those property owners in
the vicinity of said project who will
receive peculiar benefits over and above
those of other citizens of the county.
Resolved, further, That should such
plan be worked out to the satisfaction
of the county board, the sum of 5000
above referred to shall be earmarked
| for the purpose indicated, and the
Federal Government notified of the
boards final action not later than
June 30. 1888"
On a second motion by Mr.. Chew,
the proposal was adopted as an amend
ment to the budget.
The land in question consists Of
38,400 square feet in the vicinity of
the Lee Highway extension on the
lower side of the Key Bridge. The
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission owns abutments to the
Key Bridge and this tract is being
filled in by the Government now.
Appraised at $4,000.
The county property was acquired
some time ago for intended use for
a disposal plant, but this project was
diverted to another section.
Mrs. Elizabeth w. Magruder, chair
man Of the board, estimated its ap-
praisal at $4,000. This amount, with
the $4,000 impounded today, would be
sufficient payment to meet the first
years obligation on the proposed park
way in Spout Run Valley.
The county is given two years under
the Capper- -Cramton Act under which
to raise the $4,000 to match the
State appropriation.
Thomas S. Settle, secretary Of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, which is constructing the
memorial parkUav lin the river m
Great Falls, was in conference with
members of the Arlington board last
night.
He regarded the boards action to-
day as similar to down payment"
which he believed would be acceptable
to the Park Commission. He had no
authority, however, to say that the
commission definitely would accept 1t,
but felt satisfied satisfactory agree
ment would be reached with the
board
Without some such definite action
as taken by the board today, the
county stood a chance of losing the
offer Of the Government which in
wolves 100000 expenditure on i'm
provements in Spout Run Valley. The
proposed parkway would extend to
Larcom lane and the question Of i'm
proving that road to the Lee high
way is matter Of county concern.
One outstanding feature Of the Gov
ernment's offer is permanent mainte-
name Of the Spout Run Valley park
way without cost to the county.