Evening star., 1940-09-19
Deals Complete
For Two Vital
Play Centers
All Land Purchased
For Mideity and
Southwestern Areas

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission today an
nounced that acquisition of land for
two vital play centers in congested
portions of Washington has been
completed.
Announcement came after the
commission had approved contracts
for the purchase of, remaining land
for the Mld-City Playground Fifth
street and New Jersey avenue NV.
and the Southwest Recreation Gen.
ter. Immediately north of the new
Jefferson High School The con-
tracts were presented by Norman
c. Brown, the commissions ap-
praiser and associate land purchas-
ing officer.
Only a few properties had re-
manned to be bought in the two
areas. AS soon as title has been
searched and payment to owners
made the lots will be turned over to
the District Community Center and
Playground Department for clear
ance and development. 1t is be-
lieved that enough funds exist for
the demolition of the building on
the two play sites, but it is doubtful
If any fund exists for their develop
ment into Fairgrounds.
Areas Undeveloped.
AS has been the case in the past,
the two areas, together with scores
of others in the District probably
will lie vacant and undeveloped for
some time before meager funds al-
loted annually for play area develop
ment can be spared to construct
tennis courts, baseball diamonds,
shelter facilities and other features.
Social welfare and civic groups in
the central portion of the city have
worked for years to get the MidCity
playground. The area will be for
colored use The tract is bounded
by New jersey avenue. o, P ant
Fifth streets NV. in that portion
of Washington where living cond;-
tions are the worst and the death
rate is the highest. A total of So
properties had to be bought in this
area at a total cost of $225 900.
Near New High School.
The Southwest Recreation Center
will form part of co-ordinated ed
ucational and recreational unit as
it occupies land adjacent to the new
high school Cost of land for this
center totals slightly more than
$4,000.
The Commission also announced
approval of contracts which will
add land to Fort Reno Recreation
Center, Palisades Playground and a
new playground being bought in the
vicinity of the Harrison School,
Thirteenth and " streets NV The
latter is for colored use. A num-
Der of other minor acquisitions were
approved by the Commission today,
but details were not announced.
The commission was to consider
also estimates for its 1912 land pur-
chase program in the District and
this afternoon was to make a field
trip throughout the city to view
land involved in the 1912 estimates.
Fourteenth Street Project.
Mr.. Settle said the commission
might give final approval to plans
prepared by the District Highway
Department for the projected Four
teenth street and Maine avenue SW
grade separation.
W. E. Reynolds, public buildings
administrator, and John Nolen, jr.,
the commissions director or plan
ming, tomorrow will present plans for
three buildings proposed for the
Federal area. One is the proposed
annex to the Federal Reserve Build
ing on Constitution avenue, the de-
sign of which recently was approved
by the National Commission of Fine
Arts
They also will present plans for
a general office building to be placed
on Lincoln Square in East Wash
ington. Request for this building
was refused by Congress last year
and funds for the building are ex-
pected to be requested again this
year. The third building to be
considered will be a proposed ware
house for Government documents
to be placed on the Arlington EX-
perimental Farm.
Work for Friday.
The commission also will consider
tomorrow:
Plans to extend Firth Sterling
avenue Sc. to connect Anacostia
and Shepherd Parkways across Boil
ing Field and the Naval Air Sta
tion in Anacostia.
The first draft of a series of new
zoning regulations for the District
which have been proposed by the
Zoning Advisory Council.
National defense plans affecting
the commissions work.
Contracts for additional land for
the George Washington Memorial
Parkway.
New developments on the Airing
ton County thoroughfare plan
worked out by the Arlington County
Planning Commission.
Requests to rezone property along
Washington street in Alexandria.
And the status of the Anacostia
River food-control project.