Evening star., 1940-08-25
Plans Mapped
For Surveyed
Parking Needs
Recommendations for
Congress Will Be
Given in Report

Preliminary plans for the study
Of the parking needs and facilities
in the District in compliance with
a congressional order in the 194l
budget were announced yesterday
by Highway Director H. c. White
hurst.
Capt. Whitehurst said the survey
would be confined to the area
bounded by Second street NE. and
Sc. on the east, Rock Greek on the
west, the Potomac River, Washing
ton Channel and M street Sc. and
SW. on the south and Florida ave-
nue., New York avenue. M street.
Massachusetts avenue and P street
on the north.
The entire area, he said. will be
studied by blocks and zones, so that
when the time comes for final
analysis, any zone or combination
of zones may be considered sep
arately.
The scope of the survey as tenta-
lively set up, he revealed, will in
clude an inventory of present park
ing facilities and their uses. 1t will
then analyze the demand for park
ing facilities, estimate the future
demand and 60 into the question OF
expenses and consideration of va
rious ownership and operation plans.
Incorporated in Larger Survey.
Under agreement with the Public
Roads Administration the study has
been incorporated in the larger
highway planning survey now in
process here under the joint auspices
of the administration, the Highway
Department and the Traffic De-
partment. Capt Whitehurst pointed
out that the knowledge of the travel
habits of the population, which is
being accumulated in the planning
survey over period of full year
to include all seasons, would be
part of the information necessary
in a good parking study.
In the inventory of off-street
facilities at present the investiga-
tors will 60 into the capacities. aver
age use and rates of public and
private garages and lots of all sorts,
even including alleys. In the on
street field they will study the curb
footage and the various parking
regulations. The average vehicle q,
turnover and the type of parker
that is shopper, or employe, etc
also will be considered The park
ing meter problem will be probed.
The present demands for both on
and of street parking by employees,
shoppers and visitors will be studied
in the analysis of the present de-
mand for space and population
trends, vehicle registration trends.
trafic density forecasts, and the ef-
feet of providing reasonable and
convenient parking facilities will be
the basis of speculation of future
demand.
Typical financial statements Of
existing off-Street facilities will be
Investigated. The study will cover
the land values. improvement val
ues, taxes, operation costs. rates
and turnover and revenue for open-
deck garages, closed garages and
lots. Other types and estimated
costs of of1-street parking exclusive
of land also will be taken up.
Ownership and Operation.
In connection with various owner
ship and operation plans the stuoy
will go into municipal ownership
and operation. municipal ouner5hlp
and lease. private ownership and
operation. The question of staggered
employe hours and blanket curb
parking bans in certain areas also
will be probed
Bond issues and Federal loans or
grants will be considered among the
methods of financing a parking pro-
gram as well as progressive con-
struction through increased budget
estimates in the municipal budget.
Whether or not such funds should
come from the gasoline tax is an.
other matter to be looked INTO.
The building code for the Dis
trict will be examined as it relates
to parking facilities, as will zoning
ordinances.
At the conclusion of studies Cart.
Whitehurst will report back to Con-
gress his findings. giving a sug-
gested network of parking facilitie;
and suggested enabling legislation.
His conclusions will show how the
recommended plan affects the gen.
eral public benefit, decreased street
congestion. reduced traffic hazards.
improved accessibility of stores and
buildings in the business area and
stabilization of property values and
taY levels