Evening star., 1939-06-23
War and NAVY
Building Plans
Are Considered
Commissions Also
Discuss Library,
Memorial Highway

'ShVNy
Plans for the new War and Navy
Department buildings we're con-
sidered today by the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commits
sion, in joint session with the Ma
tional Commission of Fine Arts.
No definite action was taken, how
ever, Thomas S. Settle, commission
secretary, said. The joint session
also was to discuss plans for the
new Central Public Library and re-
location of the Mount Vernon Me-
mortal highway, where it interferes
with the new National Airport, now
being constructed at Gravelly Point.
Discussion centered around inn
mediate plans for the first unit for
the War Department, for which
Congress has already Appropriated
the $3,000000 with which to start
work. Congress has authorized s26,.
100000 for the entire new building.
Models Are Presented.
A bill authorizing $23, 1866 900 for
the new Navy Department Building
is now before Congress. The COM
mission wants to make sure the two
huge buildings are co-ordinated and
will round the Federal rectangle to
best advantage.
Models of the buildings, prepared
by William T. Partridge of the COM
mission staff, as we'll as studies by
the Procurement Division of the
Treasury were brought before the
commission. Present plans call for
a single huge building for the War
Department between Twenty-frst
and TWenty-third streets. C and D
streets NV. The new Navy Depart
ment plans call for two units, a
museum and berths for four historic
ships along the Potomac River bank.
The Navy Building will center
along Twenty sixth street NV.
A report on the status of legisla-
tion affecting the commissions work
was read by Mr.. Settle.
Playground Sites Weighed.
Today's joint session followed an
| ALSNJiliS vi lllC yes
terday, when emphasis was placed
on consideration of proposed sites
for mld-city playground to re-
heve congested recreational condi-
tions in the thickly populated CEN
trail portion of the city.
| The commission instructed its
staff to bring to the next meeting in
July final plans for purchase of the
new mid-city playground, together
with cost estimates.
| Beginning July !, funds will be
available under 1910 appropriations
for purchase of land in this sec
ton as well as for completion of
land purchase in similar areas i'm
mediately north of the new Jeffer-
son High School in Southwest
Washington, at Sixteenth and La
mont streets NV. and at the
Hoover Play ground, Delaware ay-
enue and N street SW.
100000 for Play Space.
The total appropriation allowed
the commission for 1910 is 81 900 900,
of which 100000 will be spent on
purchase OF play space.
! The commissions staff also was
/ instructed yesterday to bring to the
July meeting land purchase pro-
gram for l941. If Congress decides
to speed up the school housing pro-
/ gram by including in the District Of
Columbia supply bill now in confer
ence, s1,729000 for six additional
school buildings to replace those now
outmoded, the commission plans to
step up its land acquisition pro-
gram for recreation areas so that
the two may be co-ordinated.
The commission yesterday passed
a resolution asking the District Zon-
ing Commission to amend the zoning
regulations to prohibit construction
of small. cheap houses on lots zoned
residential A restricted The Manor
Park Citizens Association in par
ticular and the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations have campaigned
for this change in the regulations.
The Zoning Commission is empow-
cred to make the change under new
legislation passed last June.
Approve Alley Dwelling Plans.
Another resolution adopted at
yesterdays session, requests that the
District Commissioners close streets,
drafted on the highway plan but not
built, where they are included in
park and recreational land areas,
such as the tract at the end of East
Capitol street and the western sec
ton of Fort Dupont Park.
The commission also approved re-
vised plans for two alley dwelling
low-cost housing projects, now be-
ing developed under S8.0000 900 allo-
Gated from funds of the United
States Housing Authority, at Navy
place Sc. and on Alabama avenue
in Anacostia.
Other matters considered at yes
terday's session were proposed
changing of the harbor lines along
both sides of the Potomac River
above Arlington Memorial Bridge. a
progress report from Mr.. Nolen on
P w A. projects now under way
in the District and rezoning re-
quests from persons desiring to build
gasoline filling stations.