Evening star., 1938-06-17
Center BUILDINGS
Being DISCUSSED
BYPLANN|NGUN|T
Proposed Auditorium Topic
in Comprehensive Study
+. by Commission.
ADMINISTRATION SITE
KEYS REST OF PROGRAM
Final Outline Of Massachusetts
Tunnel and K Street 0verpass
Weighed.

Plans for development Of the en-
tire municipal center area, including
the proposed auditorium Is well IS
all structures to house the District
Government and its agencies were
being considered by the National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission at
its June meeting today.
Although the commission is giving
primary consideration to plans for
the administrative building, this en-
tails study Of ali of the remainder
Of the area, including buildings, build
ing sites and approaches.
The commission 1t the same time
Is considering final plans for the Mas
sachusetts avenue tunnel under
Thomas Circle and the K street over
pass at the Rock Greek and Potomac
Parkway. Construction Of both prof.
ects Is scheduled to begin this sum-
mer.
Plans for the X street overpass will
include trafac "cloverleaf" arrange
ments to handle the heavy trafIic
along both K street and the parkway.
These plans have been prepared jointly
by the District Highway Department
and members Of the commission stan.
Ten appropriation items and seven
legislative measures recently passed by
Congress which affect the commission
were discussed by Thomas s. Settle,
commission secretary. Chief of the
appropriation items from the stand
point Of the parkway development pro-
Sram, Mr.. Settle reported, is an item
OF $780, 900 for acquiring land in the
Anacostia River Valley in Prince
Georges County, Md. This land even-
tually will become q part of a park
way and boulvard connecting Washing
ton and Baltimore.
Other appropriation items consid-
cred by the commission include $780,
900 for the Thomas Jefferson Me-
mortal: $4,000, 900 each for acquiring
land for War Department and Social
Security Board Buildings; $4,000 for
an additional story on the Navy De-
partment Building; $4,000 for the
Gallery of Art Commission; $4,000, 900
for roads and trails in the National
Park Service; $4,000 for the Albert
Gallatin statue and w. P. A. and work.
relief items.
The commission also is considering
recently enacted legislation amending
the District 1oning law. the District
public works bill, the Army Medical
Library and Museum Building bill,
bills changing the names of Daniel
road to Oregon avenue and Water
street S.W. to Maine avenue and
amendments to the Alley Dwelling Au-
thority Act.
Mr.. Settle reported that Congress
had failed to enact District Airport
legislation except for the closing of
Military road through Washington
Airport. The commission now is con-
sidering the site for substitute for
Military road.
The commission voted to hold its
July meeting July %, 20 and 30.
John Nolen, jr., director Of planning
for the commission, will report on
PAOBASCO OA pAOJCCto LII MdLyidIlU
which are being handled by the COM
mission in cooperation with the
Maryland National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. His report will
deal especially with Civilian Conserva-
ton Corps and relief projects in Rock
Greek and Sligo Greek Valleys.
OmcialS of the Soil Erosion Service
Of the Agriculture Department were
called to meet with the Commission
this afternoon to work out methods
of controlling a serious erosion prob
lem in Rock Greek Valley just be-
yond the District line in Maryland.
The National and Maryland planning
groups are seeking to work out q
definite plan of treatment to prevent
destruction Of the beauty and USE
fulness Of this section of the valley
by floods and channel shifting. The
report Of the soil erosion officials will
be considered later by the two COM
missions.
FLOWING the meeting, members of
the commission arranged to partici-
pate in the ceremonies In connection
with the opening Of Chain Bridge.